SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1274
“The End of the Matter”
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind. – Ecclesiastes 12:13
Solomon looked at the world view through the eyes of someone trying to find meaning, purpose, and happiness in the temporal things of this world apart from God.
He explored substance abuse, sought pleasure in grand possessions, and accumulated wealth. Whatever his flesh desired he purchased, seeking more pleasure.
And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. – Ecclesiastes 2:10
Solomon’s conclusion: It was all in vain, like chasing the wind.
Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:11
Solomon became discouraged when he realized that all people are the same in the end. The rich and the poor alike all met the same end and he saw the futility in all that he was striving for.
Solomon’s conclusion: Apart from God, there can be no enjoyment in life.
For apart from him (God) who can eat or who can have enjoyment? – Ecclesiastes 2:25
Solomon also came to realize the importance of a relationship with God from an early age and he exhorts us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth.
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them” – Ecclesiastes 12:1
Solomon’s conclusion: Wisdom from the Lord is Truth for guidance in this life.
The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. – Ecclesiastes 12:11
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
After all was studied, said, and done, Solomon came to his final conclusion, ‘the end of the matter’, that our whole purpose in this life is to have a respectful awe (fear) of our Creator God and to obey His commandments.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. – Proverbs 9:10
How many of us remain caught in the quagmire of the lure of worldly pleasure, position, and power? At what price do we chase the worldly ‘dream’? Broken relationships with our spouse and children? Spiritual anemia in an on again, off again relationship with God? Degradation of physical health due to overwork and stress?
In this Christmas Holiday season, we are bombarded with commercials to buy things that we are told we cannot live without.
For many, this is a stressful time of year, and they seek to self-medicate with their drug of choice in order to cope.
Have you come to the ‘end of the matter’ realization that it is all in vain? A chasing after the wind?
Call out to God and He will deliver you.
When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. – Psalm 91:15
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. – Psalm 40:2
The end of the matter is this: Abundant life is found only through a personal relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior with respect for and obedience to God because of our love for Him.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. – John 14:15
May the Holy Spirit give you the wisdom to objectively take stock of your life track, your motives, thoughts, desires, and actions. May you come to the ‘end of the matter conclusion’ that this life is empty apart from Jesus.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
Sword of the Spirit 