Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
[13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The man who wrote the words of the verse above said he did not deny himself anything his eyes desired. Whatever he wanted, he got. He was that wealthy, because God had blessed him beyond the limits any man could place on him. Kings and queens from all over the world came to hear him speak, and to observe the quality of his kingly court. The bible records that there was no king like him before him, and there would also be no king like him after him. That is the testimony of a man who God had blessed. However, as we now know, even the man that God has blessed has to be careful of personal actions and decisions. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He will give sufficient grace for the journey of life, but He expects me to use the grace the right way, so that I can get the results that give glory to Him. The misuse of grace has both earthly and eternal consequences.
The bible records about this man that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and of course, these women turned his heart away from God. A man who had visions of and visits from God had allowed the distractions and cares of the world become the focus. The fear of God in his heart was now being replaced with the temporary calm that false and fake alliances can deceitfully lay down. In the early part of his reign, he was the only king who did not have to fight an external war with the enemies of Israel. Towards the end of his reign, he was beset by many foes, including Edom, Zobah, his own official named Jeroboam, and internal conflict from the tribe of Ephraim. It has to be said that a man who will go far in and with God must be careful of the seemingly attractive things the world has to offer. It must be noted that the world will not and cannot give you what it does not own or have.
The Word and the world are on opposite sides of the divide of eternity. Both have differing priorities, and both have different eternal ends. If what I seek is eternal life with God, then I have to fear the One who can secure this life for me. If I have tasted the world and seen that it bears me no good, it will just cost me total submission to the authority and power of the Word of God, who is Jesus Himself. As Solomon realised it centuries ago when the words of the verse above were written, so is it a truth that must be published and proclaimed publicly. Jesus returns one day soon, and He is coming back for those who are eagerly expecting Him by living right. You live right by fearing God and keeping His commandments. The combination of fear of and obedience to God secures the blessing of earth and the eternal riches of heaven. What else can a mortal man give you that can be better than these? Fear God, and you have no one and nothing else to fear. God's time of favour is here.
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