DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 15 September 2024: Know the Purpose of Life
Text: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 (KJV)
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
KEY VERSE: Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Evangelist Bud Chambers, a gospel songwriter, scripted some lyrics in the song, “Born to serve the Lord.” The wordings of the song reflected the totality of man’s business on earth. He wrote: “From the dust of the earth, my God created man, His breadth made man a living soul, and God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, and that is why I love him with my soul.” According to him, it would amount to a waste of precious life to abandon the very essence of living here on earth.
In this concluding part of the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon reminds all that the purpose of our creation is to fear God and do His will. He also called our attention to the fact that every work of man would be judged. Although man may invent other purposes for his existence here on earth, one thing is indisputable: no invention of man can distort God’s purpose.
God made man a living being for fellowship and service. But when man sinned, the purpose was distorted. Sin reigned through Adam, but we are made alive by Jesus Christ. Christ’s redemptive work at Calvary paved the way for man to return to the initial purpose: serving God in obedience. Sadly, many live as though their sole aim in life is to please themselves and they operate without the fear of God. They speak, behave and lord over others as if they own their lives.
We must be careful how we live, knowing that someday, we must give account to God, who will bring all works to judgment. The path of righteousness for all sinners is genuine repentance from sins and faith in Christ and His atoning sacrifice. Believers must submit to God’s command to preach the gospel and serve Him. The grace of God is fully available to help us do this.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Obedience and fear of God should be our way of life.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 25-27
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Daily Manna 15 September 2024
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