The Joy of Glory

Ecclesiastes 12 (click here)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. [14] For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Reflection
Solomon began by saying that nothing mattered, but he ends saying everything matters because it matters to God! God will bring everything and everyone into judgment…so every single act, thought, word, etc matters!

This fills our heart with fear…terror…and rightfully so because we know that our hearts are full of sin and deserve nothing, but God’s judgment. Yet, we are not called to respond with awful fear, but with awe-filled fear.

Fear God. See him for who he is and be in awe of him. Treasure him. Trust him. Our God is one who has not poured out his judgment upon us, but upon himself. Jesus Christ has received the judgment for our deeds (even the ones done in secret). Our response is to fear him, revere him, treasure him, love him, embrace him, trust him.  If we do that, it shows up in that we follow him (keep his commands).

The fact that God will judge everything and everyone does not fill the believer with awful terror, but puts us in awe of our treasure…Christ. For he has borne our penalty of death to bring us life. Let us fear him and follow him.

*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.