Ecclesiastes: The Adventure of a LifetimeSample

Our Duty

The result of all Solomon has to say in Ecclesiastes is this — obey God, listen to Him, honor Him, and give Him glory. This is the purpose of humankind. Time, gladness, labor, and uncertainty are all contexts to invite us to intimacy with God.

It takes a great deal of respect to fear someone in the way Solomon suggests here. Our compulsion to understand is never going to go away. It is transcendent. No matter how much progress we make, we will never be fully satisfied with the answers to our questions and the scope of our comprehension. How humbling to approach the One who does have the answers. How terrifying. What are the answers He has decided on and why? What part will I play in His plans? What will I do if He hides His approval from me because of my destructive behavior? Am I asking these questions just to know the answer, or am I asking them to pursue His eternal wisdom, goodness, and plans for me?

When children know they did wrong, they fear the consequences they expect from their parents because of their bad behavior. Like Adam and Eve, we are ashamed.

But our limitations are not meant to shame us, but to exalt God and who we are in His Image. It is scary how much our lives depend on Him, how little control we have over our circumstances. His voice beckons us to obedience, to belonging. How much we need Him!

This is the reality of the world. This is the truth. Life is an intricate design to invite us into a relationship with God. And as scary as it can get, when we truly find ourselves lost in His gaze, what a relief and joy it brings.

Let’s pray by bowing our heads in utter surrender to Him. Let’s embrace His good and perfect will. Let’s tell Him there is no greater joy for us than to obey, honor, and give Him glory because we know this is all that we were created for. Let’s thank Him once more for loving us so much as not to hide His gracious face from us. The Creator of all actively cares for those He made!

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