Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Fear God
The Eye Of The LORD
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-19
It is very comforting, encouraging, and motivating to hear the above words of David. One of my favorite verses of the Old Testament is found in 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” and I know in its text it is telling king Asa what he is missing out on due to his rebellious heart.
For those who have a perfect heart toward God; those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, He will deliver from horrible eternal death in eternal torment, and give them food to eat when things are hard.
Now, whose heart is perfect toward God? Those who look to God through His Son Jesus, who took our place on Calvary’s cross, dying for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again. When we realize our lost, and hopeless estate, and call on His name believing in His finished work we are delivered from death, and can know that His eye is ever upon us perfecting, protecting, and providing our every need.
The work God starts in us, He will finish (Philippians 1:6).
The Conclusion of the Matter
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
In reading the book of Ecclesiastes we find that the life of every individual has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The body of our lives includes many plots and sub-plots, and climaxes. Those climaxes are not the end, or conclusion of life. They are just another peak reached, then we do something different, more, or less adventure, etc..
From seeing things as vain in life; “vanity of vanities all is vanity” were Solomon’s words as he writes of his life’s adventure. He reaches the conclusion of the matter.
That conclusion is that only with God does life even matter.
The sole duty of man is not to live for oneself, but for God, and to glorify Him; to enjoy Him forever. He alone has made that possible.
We must remember that there is nothing hidden from God. In our era of time there are so many frightened that the government(s) of men have so much observation of our personal lives by means of video, video cameras, and satellite and by our computers. I think of that this way; I already have Someone who sees all that I do. He knows every thought I think. He sees everything I do. There is nothing that I do, no secret thing, that gets past Him; He is God. What do I have to fear from a government that is run amuck from God.
Jesus said,
“For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.” Mark 4:22
We can be certain that nothing we do gets around God. We can also be certain that there is nothing that happens which surprises Him. The conclusion of the matter of life is found in knowing God and being known by Him.
When we have both, then we are assured of an eternal home with Him. That is made possible through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ God’s only begotten Son.
Prolonged Days???
“Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him: but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days,which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 (KJV)
Some may consider it a sad thing for a preacher of God’s Word to say what I am about to say, but I am telling you how I have felt about the book of Ecclesiastes for many years. I have found it troubling, troublesome, awkward, hard to understand, even confusing at times. I have always understood that the final verses of it gives us its best understanding.
In the past few days Ecclesiastes has been a part of my daily reading. I must say that the LORD has spoken to me more clearly through the words of Solomon in this past week, in Ecclesiastes than all the other times I have read it.
Solomon was considered to be the wisest of men in his time, in the days following; is still the wisest of men; except of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. Looking at the verses above he sure had that right.
Those words are an encouragement to all who are righteous that just because evil men or women seem to prosper, and live long lives doing it does not mean they are blessed. There are righteous people who are not prosperous, and who do not have prolonged days on the earth; however; they will live forever in the presence of holy GOD, and will dwell in His presence forever.
What makes a man or woman righteous? Scripture tells us
“There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Romans 3:10-11
Righteousness is a gift of God come by God’s grace. The righteous are those who “fear God”. We are also told by Scripture…
“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 1 Corinthians 5:21
We are all sinners without hope, and God sent His only begotten Son [Jesus] to pay our sin debt. Jesus Christ the Son of God and God the Son became our sin, took the wrath of God upon HImself – upon the cross of Calvary – suffering our shame, our guilt, our judgment, and put away our sin forever. He was buried taking our sin away. He bodily arose showing, declaring that death’s victory was no more.
Solomon was a very wise man. Righteous people need not fear what lies ahead, or question why the evil men prosper. Not all evil men or women prosper. All prosper best when we come to Jesus Christ through His cross.
Words for Christian Living – Bless the LORD
“I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 (KJV)
As Christians we are daily, constantly being blessed by God. How often, however, do we think of Blessing God? The phrase “Bless the LORD” is used mostly in Psalms, and occurs about 17 times; with one of those times reading “Bless ye the LORD” (Psalm 103:21). The phrase is used at least three more times in the rest of the Old Testament. The Psalmist was a blessing to God, and blessed God.
How does the Christian bless the LORD? First of all we fear the LORD. In fearing God we love Him, obey His commands because we love Him. In these things we speak words that honor Him. We live a life that honors and glorifies Him.
Secondly, we lift up the name of Jesus in praise; not as a swear word. Shame on the Christian who would ever use the name of Jesus Christ as an expression of anger, passion, or frustration.
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.” Psalm 48:1-7 (KJV)
Bless the LORD.
Broken Pieces 