Dear Friends,

READ ECCLESIASTES 8:1 THROUGH 12:14

What does God expect His people to do?

Some might think it’s to recite devout prayers. Others might feel it’s to follow strict dress codes, to avoid certain foods, or to adhere to other man-made rules. Different opinions have thrown complications into the Christian walk. But King Solomon knew exactly what God expected of his people. After warning his reader to avoid following men’s religious rules, he wrote:

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Wanting his reader to have a good life, King Solomon advised him to fear God. But that didn’t mean the person had to tremble in terror. Solomon merely wanted the reader to respect God and stay close to Him through obedience.

Solomon realized that the duty of people is to guard their relationship with God, who, like any loving Father, longs for close relationship with His children.

The irony is that even though Solomon expressed these words, later in life something changed. He lost his fear of the Lord and his knowledge of the truth no longer impacted the choices he made. He allowed his desires to justify his disobedience. It cost him everything .

"from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel,"You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David." (1 Kings 11:2-4)

Prayer Suggestion: Father, help me to protect my relationship with You and follow Your Word.