Tag: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
The King on His Holy Throne!
Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 22, Psalm 110, Ecclesiastes 12
Revelation 22: 1-4 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His Name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
The end of the matter has been recorded by the King and sent to us through the apostle John from his visit to the throne room of heaven. The King reigns in Zion over all His enemies! We were all once His enemies, but have been made righteous by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings! His Name is on our foreheads! God provides for all the water of Life, flowing as love from His Son’s eternal throne. The nations are healed of their enmity through the Tree of Life and nothing accursed will ever be found again. The night is gone and the Lamb is our eternal Lamp! We have been given grace to be transformed from ‘enemies of God’ to ruling sons and daughters, reigning with Christ Jesus forever and ever! Amen!
Psalm 110:1-2 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion Your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”
Prayer: Father God, I respond to this revelation of the end by holy reverence, awe, and worship! You have done it all! You have provided eternal life to me, an enemy, through grace! You have saved me from the judgment by paying for my sins through Jesus’ shed blood. You heal me and make me holy and give me a place in Your eternal family and holy city! You are my Light, my Life, and my Salvation forever and ever!
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
Finishing the race with endurance!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2nd Timothy 4
2nd Timothy 4:5-8 “As for you (Timothy), always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul’s earthly life was at its ending. He encouraged Timothy, his son in the faith, to always be about the work of evangelism to which the Lord had called him. This would require sober-minded dedication and focus. Paul had set Timothy an example to follow of faithfulness, even to imprisonment and ultimately to being martyred for Christ. Paul had fought a good fight of faith, patiently and faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word, and living it out by example. He had run his race to the finish line and awaited the crown of the victor, which the Lord would award him in the Day of Christ. This crown was for all who would fight to the finish and run to win.
2nd Timothy 4:17-18 “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for standing by me all the years of my life and for the promise You will bring me safely into Your heavenly kingdom! I am endeavoring to fight the good fight of faith each day and to finish the race You set before me. I claim by faith the crown of righteousness that Paul said was for all who loved Your appearing!
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
The Lord stood by me!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2nd Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 4:14-18 “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the Lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul warned Timothy by naming a man who had greatly opposed him. This was not for the purpose of revenge–God must be the only one to repay! Paul also mentioned being deserted by all his friends when he stood up in court to the charges against him. He was facing death and asked that this not be held against them by the Lord. God stood by Paul and strengthened Him. Paul was fully convinced (confident) God would rescue him and bring him safely into heaven.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to always leave all revenge to You. I believe You will always stand by me and strengthen me. You are my hope of safe entry into heaven.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
Continue in good works
Scripture reading for September 21st: Ecclesiastes 12, Song of Songs 1-3, 2nd Thessalonians 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 3:10-13 “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”
Some in the church were idle and living off the work of others. Paul warned them not to be idle, but to be steady in good works and earn their own way. Idleness leads to gossip and meddling and strife. This is not proper in God’s family.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of men. For God will bring every deed into judgment with every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for calling Your people to good works and earning a living. Keep me mindful that I will have to answer to You for my conduct on earth. Amen.
Thankful for God’s Righteous Judgment!
Scripture reading for July 25th: Ecclesiastes 9-12
Key Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Solomon concluded his dissertation with a simple statement of truth. Even though life under the sun appeared to be meaningless to the worldly man, there was a God in heaven that deserved reverence and obedience. This God had decreed that He would judge each person based on their deeds and obedience to His commands. There was nothing that would be hidden from His sight.
Thankful for God the Righteous Judge: “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, . .” (John 5:22) “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)