Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, October 26, 2016
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“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Solomon, the wisest man living in his time, gave many admonitions that are pertinent even until this time. He gave wise counsel regarding good stewardship and preparation. He warned against illicit relationships, abominable sins, and drinking strong drinks. Many times he referred to the ways that some of us live our lives in pursuit of as vanity, and chasing the wind. He had many wives and concubines, and possessed beauty and wealth beyond our imagination, yet all of this in his view, was vanity.
Having discussed, in two of his books, many practical guidelines for living, he concludes by saying, all that he said can be summed up by keeping the Lord’s commands, and respecting Him as the Creator of the universe. This, he said, is the whole duty of man. God will judge every deed and misdeed to determine whether it was holy or not. He will judge even the intents of the heart.
The whole duty of humankind is to please God. When we first submit to God, and then live our lives to please Him, we fulfill our duty as human beings. It is in this kind of commitment that we lead others to a richer and fuller experience, which will eventually lead to the salvation of their souls. It is when we do our best to please God that we are demonstrating our love for Him, thus fulfilling the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-38).
It is a blessing that God has put a mechanism in place to afford faulty human beings the privilege of pleasing Him. Only blessings and security, in the trying hour of God’s judgment can occur when our focus is fully fixed on bringing Him glory.
Pray that the Lord will empower you with the principle element of love which, when exercised properly, pleases God.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)