The conclusion of the whole matter • Deshen Daily

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Eccl. 12:13 KJV)

King Solomon gives us the conclusion that followed his wise lifelong observations in life. He says the end of the whole matter of life is that a man should fear God and keep his commandments.

Solomon had enjoyed in his lifetime all that a man’s heart could wish for. He had experienced the power and authority of a king. He was superfluously wealthy. And above all, his wisdom was a marvel to humanity as it was a divine endowment. However, Solomon deviated from the ways of God at the end of his life and tasted the foolishness of living outside of God. He gives us the conclusion of the “whole matter” about life, after having experienced both extremes. He says to fear God and keep his commandments is the whole duty of every man or woman, and he says these words out of a lifetime of experience as the wisest man that ever lived beside our Lord Jesus.

We will undoubtedly do well to heed Solomon’s counsel. Fear God and keep His commandments. It is never well with any human being who lives against the commandments of the Lord. Adam will have volumes to teach us about this truth.

MEDITATE

Why do you think Solomon came to this conclusion after living both in God’s principles and against them?

APPLY THE WORD

Heed Solomon’s advice to fear the Lord and keep His commandments. You do not need to try life out of God to learn by experience that living outside of God is not worth an inch of it.

PRAY

Ask the Spirit of the Lord to grant you wisdom enough to avoid taking any step away from Him which will certainly bring grief and sorrow to your own life at the end.

Recommended Read: Do not lose the fear of the Lord

Foundational Read: What is a Daily Devotional?