Daily Devotional for Sunday February 20, 2000

Fear God

(Ecclesiastes 12:13)

A summary of what this life is really about. If you accept the Bible as God's inspired inerrant word as I do, then Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived. Over the years, I have studied carefully his life, the things he said, trying to gain some wisdom myself. As a man, like all other men, Solomon made many mistakes and gave into the temptations of this world on many occasions. It doesn't make me feel any better, but it does help when I make mistakes to know that even the wisest man who ever lived also made many mistakes in his life. I have torn apart the Book of Ecclesiastes many times and have spent countless hours reading Solomon's summation of this life. It is actually a pretty negative book until the next to last verse. As only the wisest man who ever lived could, in 6 words Solomon summed up what this life is all about.

"FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS".

This may sound like an oversimplification, but it really isn't. The original Hebrew word for fear is not the type of fear you have when you are afraid, but literally means to be in awe, in reverence. That should always be our attitude towards God. Awe and reverence. Keeping his commandments refers to the Ten Commandments. Jesus in John 13:34 gave a new commandment that "we love one another even as he loved us". My friends, if we can do this throughout our life, then we have really accomplished as much as is possible. You see, this world remembers those who led great armies into war, leaders of empires and nations, those who have amassed tremendous wealth, and people who are responsible for accomplishing incredible feats. But I tell you today that the acclaim of the world is nice, but is temporary. I would rather have the acclaim of God, because that is for eternity. Solomon at the end of his long and distinguished life on this earth, summed it all up by saying that to get the acclaim of God, fear Him, and keep His commandments.

I love you, care about you, and realize many are facing incredible obstacles in your life. This word ties in nicely with the past few that have talked about remaining focused on the things above, as opposed to the things of this life. I pray today that you will focus, possibly take a long hard look at your goals and priorities, and see if fearing God and keeping His commandments are part of your top goals and priorities. If not, you have no excuse after reading this word today. What really is our ultimate objective in this life, as short as it really is? It should be to fulfill the purpose God gave life to us and that is to serve and glorify Him. If fearing Him and keeping His commandments is how to fulfill His purpose for our life, then should not that be our number one goal and objective? For many years I can honestly say it was not for me. But I praise Him each day, because now that is what I live for. I pray that today you will make that commitment if you have not already done so, to let that be your number one goal and objective as well.