Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

There is nowhere that the duty of man is put any more honestly than in Ecclesiastes 12:13. This verse summarizes the life and times of mankind in just a few short phrases. Understand that everyday, no matter the circumstance, we must reverence God. To know that He is, to worship Him, and to keep His commandments is the full, original purpose of mankind.

 

To help us accept this daunting truth, we must also understand that fearing God and our obedience to His commandments is not for nothing. There is great reward for those that choose to obey the commands of God. One of the many rewards we can receive is divine happiness. See, God is the root and foundation of all happiness. In actuality, He is the cure and the answer to all things. One of the first examples we see in Scripture of having material things but needing true happiness can be found in the life of Solomon.

 

Solomon was a man with more wisdom and understanding than any other man to date. Through the blessings of God, he had the ability to have anything he ever wanted. Yet with the world at his fingertips, Solomon found himself empty. (Found in 1 Kings 3 and throughout the book of Ecclesiastes)

 

In direct contrast to Solomon, we find David. In Psalms 146:5 (KJV), he writes, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” David knew true happiness and the Source of his many blessings. David and God had been through a lot together - from shepherd to king; from wars to victories; from adultery, to repentance, to a “man after God’s own heart.” This relationship saw much stress, much worry, and many trying situations. But one thing continually held true for David - he was going to praise His Lord and receive all that God had prepared for Him. David knew that a man that followed after the Lord would “receive the blessings from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:5)

 

Just as David knew God intimately, so must we. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) says, “He that cometh to the Lord must believe that He is, and that He is rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Once we believe that God is the one true God and we know that He wants to reward and bless us, we can then follow Him unhindered and undeterred. Only obedience to God will bring us closer to Him and open the door of true happiness and blessings – blessings that will overtake our lives. Only when we are in that place - knowing our God, obeying His commands, and resting in His blessings - can we follow our Lord with all our heart, mind, body, and soul. This type of relationship is established so that we can stand in faith and conquer the fear, feelings, and fury that this world tries to use against us.

 

To help us through all the tough times, we must also know that God has a plan for each one of us. Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP) says, “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.”

 

Our seeking after God and our obedience to His Word are the necessities. Walking in the plan He knows is also a benefit of being with God. The plans of peace and hope are established in our walk with Him. We must start sowing seeds of obedience in order to reap a bountiful harvest.

 II Corinthians 9:6 (KJV) tells us that “he which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”  We will only get back what we have put in. Just like we have plans and blessings for our children, God has an equally powerful urge and desire to bless and work with His children. (See Matthew 7:11) Our Heavenly Father wants to give the best for His blessed. Are we ready and willing to receive?