The Last Instruction From The Wisest Man In The World
‘When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. ‘ Ecclesiastes 12:13 AMP
‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.’ Ecclesiastes 12:13 NKJV
Have you ever sat down with an old wise man before?
Maybe someone who you really looked up to, a mentor or legendary leader.
I’ve had a few moments like this.
One in particular was with a legendary leader and pastor.
A few of us were having dinner.
As we were finishing, questions started to get asked of this leader.
You know, the type of questions that are trickier questions.
Stuff like, “do you think gay marriage will be ok at churches?”
Or questions like, “now that you’re 80, what would you be doing different at age 40 or 50?”
As the pastor fielded the questions, he sort of shrugged each one of them off.
Is was like they weren’t difficult questions for him.
In the end, he answered them and said, “that’s what I think of it now, I never would have when I was younger, but it is what it is.”
The ultimate stoic answer.
This is what it sounds like when you read Ecclesiastes 12.
Solomon goes through tragedy and triumph in Ecclesiastes.
In the end, he washes his hands and writes out the final verse of the chapter.
“Fear God and keep his commandments.”
But what does Solomon mean by that?
Life is wild right now.
Like really wild.
Let’s remember Solomon saw some wild stuff too.
He was known as the wildest, I mean wisest man ever.
He had everything he could possibly desire, like thousands of wives and honey dips.
He could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
By the sound of Ecclesiastes, things spiraled out of control.
And in all of that, the wisest man instructed us to Fear God and keep his commandments.
What does fearing God and keeping his commandments look like for you?
I know for me, it comes back to spending time with God.
The amplified translation above says, “worship Him with awe-filled reverance.” What a great picture of what the fear of the Lord looks like. So yah, hanging with God on walks or in my car. Sometimes I just ask questions of God or ask him, “what do you need from me today, how can I help?” Maybe that helps you get going.
Now that most of you are at home or in some sort of isolated state, this is the greatest time to spend time with Jesus. Take time with Jesus, ask Him to guide and lead you. Ask Him to speak with you and give you courage in this season. These are the golden moments of time spent with God. If Jesus says to come to him like little children, let’s do it. If he says for us to abide in Him, let’s do it, let’s test Him on it. Now is that moment.
As for keeping his commandments, well let that one sink in too.
I love the Message translation of this verse. It says, “Fear God and do what He tells you.” Can’t get any more to the point than that.
Make time today to dig in and worship.
Become all that God has called you to be.
This is one of the greatest moments in time just for that.
It’s like God is saying, “Yo, we are shut down, if you don’t have time for me now, what the cuss are you doing?”
Do it today.
Let’s pray:
Jesus, I need you to guide me in this day.
Lead me to the place where I need to be.
Help me to worship and kick it with you more.
I need it, I want it. I believe it.
I’m here for you. Use me.
Thank you. amen.
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