Highlights:
The importance of our relationship to our Creator is stressed in today's reading. Despite wisdom, we continue studying our problems. Beware of a little folly. Now we find the conclusion of the matter. Good advice for all mankind is given in the final verses: Hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments. . . . For God shall bring every work into judgment (Eccl. 12:13-14).
We have a choice of how we spend each day of our lives, but we cannot relive even one day. We can waste it on pleasures, as we are so prone to do. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment (Eccl. 11:9).
How much better it is to remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them (12:1).
God, our Creator, is the Source of all true lasting pleasure and satisfaction. The writer speaks from experience when he urges all to worship and serve the Lord, who alone can satisfy. To do the will of God is to choose the best in life.
Satisfaction in life results from giving one's time, talents, and resources to fulfill the will of God. This is the only true source of lasting happiness, peace of mind, and genuine enjoyment in life. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained (planned) that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
Therefore, it is foolish to seek riches, security, power, popularity, or earth's fleeting goals in life merely for temporary self-satisfaction. It is also self-destructive to yield to the lust of the flesh (gratification of the physical nature), and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:16).
God deserves to be glorified in all His Creation. The heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1) in obedience to His eternal laws of the universe. We can glorify God only by being submissive to His will as revealed in His Word. The Christian's transformed nature will express the nature of God, reflecting His Truth, His Love, His Righteousness.
Solomon, whose heart was not perfect with (not wholy devoted to) the Lord his God (I Kin. 11:4) had many regrets. He confessed: I hated life (Eccl. 2:17). In striking contrast David, the one who remembered his Creator from the days of his youth, in his old age was able to say with satisfaction: In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps.16:11).
Thought for Today:
Will the choices I make each day enable me to say with Paul: I have fought a good fight . . . I have kept the fatih (II Tim. 4:7)?
Christ Revealed:
In the statement, For God shall bring every work into judgment (Eccl. 12:14). Jesus will judge all, for the Father (God) judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (Jesus) (John 5:22).
Word Studies:
10:14 is full of words =b> talks as though he knows everything about which he knows nothing; 10:15 he knoweth not how to go to the city =b> he is ignorant concerning the most obvious matters; 12:11 goads =b> rods sharpened at the ends, used in driving oxen (Judg. 3:31; I Sam. 13:21); The words of the wise are as goads =b> The words of wisdom rouse into action to do right.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Rick Hash • Government Official: Rep. Quico Canseco (TX) • Country: Samoa (190,000) in the South Pacific • Major languages: Samoan and English • Religious freedom • 68% Protestant; 21% Roman Catholic; 2% Baha'i; 1.1% non-Religious/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to deliver you from willful sins (Ps. 19:13).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 7
Memory Verse for the Week:
Psalms 34:4
