Living with Eternity in View: Solomon's Final Wisdom

Devotional

Day 1: Reflect on the Bible Daily

The Bible is not just a book to be read, but a living word to be studied, pondered, and applied. It soothes the soul with its sweetness, safeguards us with its truth, sometimes stings to correct us, and stabilizes our lives like tent pegs in a storm. The Scriptures are given by the one true Shepherd and are sufficient for all we need to know about salvation and godly living. In a world overflowing with information and opinions, let the Word of God be your daily anchor, your source of wisdom, and your guide for transformation. [38:34]

Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 (ESV)
"Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can set aside time today to reflect on and study God’s Word, allowing it to both comfort and challenge you?

Day 2: Revere God Above All

To fear God is not to run from Him in terror, but to approach Him with awe, reverence, and respect, recognizing His holiness, majesty, and authority. When we lose a high view of God, we trivialize sin, worship, and even the truth itself. Recapturing a reverent fear of the Lord transforms our relationship with Him and shapes every aspect of our lives, calling us to take Him seriously and to honor Him above all else. [49:17]

Ecclesiastes 12:13a (ESV)
"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God..."

Reflection: When you think of God, what comes to your mind first, and how can you intentionally cultivate a deeper reverence for Him in your heart today?

Day 3: Resolve to Obey Right Away

Obedience to God is not something to be delayed until we feel ready or have everything figured out. The call is to keep His commandments now, for this is the whole duty of every person. True obedience flows from a heart that loves God and loves others, and it is the secret to wholeness and satisfaction in life. Don’t wait for a more convenient time—resolve today to do what God is calling you to do, trusting that He will enable you to walk in His ways. [53:04]

Ecclesiastes 12:13b (ESV)
"...and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God calling you to obey Him today, and what step can you take right now to respond in faith?

Day 4: Ready Yourself for Judgment

Every deed, even those done in secret, will be brought into judgment by God. Nothing is hidden from Him, and each of us will give an account for our lives. Yet, the good news is that Jesus has taken the judgment we deserve upon Himself, offering us forgiveness and eternal life if we repent and trust in Him. Let the reality of coming judgment motivate you to live with integrity, to seek God’s mercy, and to be ready for eternity with Him. [54:59]

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV)
"For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

Reflection: If you knew you would stand before God today, what would you want to make right in your life, and how can you take a step toward that now?

Day 5: Focus on Eternal Matters

Life is fleeting, and nothing in this world can truly satisfy the deep longing in our souls. We were made for eternity, and the end of the matter is to focus on what lasts forever—our relationship with God and living for His purposes. Don’t waste your life chasing temporary things; instead, let your heart and actions be shaped by the reality of eternity, finding your satisfaction and hope in Jesus alone. [58:36]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal priorities today, and how might that change your attitude or actions?

Sermon Summary

As we gather on this beautiful day, we are reminded of the privilege it is to worship together and to open God’s Word as a community. Today, we reach the conclusion of our journey through Ecclesiastes, focusing on Solomon’s final words in chapter 12, verses 9-14. These verses serve as a powerful summary, urging us to focus on what truly matters—eternal matters. Solomon, after all his searching and wisdom, brings us to the heart of life’s purpose: to fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Throughout Ecclesiastes, we’ve seen that life is fleeting and full of uncertainties, but God’s Word stands firm. Solomon’s careful arrangement of proverbs and teachings reminds us that the Bible is not just a book to be read, but a living word to be studied, savored, and obeyed. It soothes our souls, safeguards us from error, sometimes stings us into action, and stabilizes us in the storms of life. The Bible is supernatural and sufficient, given by the one true Shepherd, and it is all we need for life and godliness.

Solomon’s conclusion is clear: we are to reflect on the Bible daily, revere God above all, resolve to obey Him immediately, and ready ourselves for the coming judgment. Every deed, even those done in secret, will be brought into the light. Yet, the good news is that Jesus has taken our judgment upon Himself, offering us forgiveness and eternal life if we will repent and trust in Him.

The call is urgent—life is a vapor, and eternity awaits. We are challenged to examine our hearts: Are we living in the fear of the Lord? Are we ready to meet Him? The end of the matter is not that nothing matters, but that everything does, because we were made for eternity. Let us live with eternity in view, making the most of every day by focusing on what will last forever.

Key Takeaways

1. The Bible is to be Studied, Savored, and Obeyed God’s Word is not a mere collection of ancient writings, but a living, active guide for our lives. It is to be studied with care, pondered deeply, and applied consistently. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, it both delights and challenges us, shaping our hearts and minds for eternity. [38:34]
2. God’s Word Both Comforts and Confronts Scripture soothes us with its promises and wisdom, but it also acts as a goad, prodding us out of complacency and into faithful action. The same Word that brings comfort can also bring conviction, reminding us that growth often comes through discomfort and correction. [42:11]
3. Reverence for God is Foundational to Life To fear God is not to cower in terror, but to stand in awe, reverence, and holy respect. This reverence shapes our worship, our understanding of sin, and our appreciation for Christ’s atonement. A high view of God leads to a transformed life, where trivial pursuits are replaced by eternal priorities. [49:17]
4. Obedience is Immediate, Not Delayed We are called to obey God’s commands now, not when it is convenient or when we feel ready. True obedience flows from a heart that trusts God’s wisdom and goodness, recognizing that our wholeness and satisfaction are found in surrendering to His will. [53:04]
5. Eternity is Real—Be Ready for Judgment Every person will stand before God and give an account, even for the hidden things. Yet, in Christ, judgment is transformed into hope, as He has borne our punishment and offers us eternal life. Living with eternity in view compels us to repent, trust in Jesus, and invest our lives in what truly matters. [54:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
[04:20] - Prayer for Ann’s New Life Ministry
[08:00] - Microphone Mishaps and Humor
[11:30] - Introduction to Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
[13:32] - Solomon’s Conclusion: The End of the Matter
[15:40] - Recap of Ecclesiastes: Key Lessons
[18:34] - Reflect on the Bible Daily
[20:57] - The Bible Soothes, Safeguards, and Stings
[24:45] - The Bible Stabilizes and is Supernatural
[26:42] - The Sufficiency of Scripture
[28:40] - Revere God Above All
[31:39] - Resolve to Obey Right Away
[33:46] - Ready Yourself for Judgment
[36:17] - The Story of Arthur Stace and “Eternity”
[38:36] - Made for Eternity: The Final Challenge
[41:14] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
[44:50] - Announcements and VBS Prayer
[49:00] - Dismissal and Final Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 — (This was the main text for the sermon.)

Observation Questions

According to Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, what are some of the ways Solomon describes the purpose and effect of God’s Word? (Look for words like “goads,” “nails firmly fixed,” “given by one shepherd.”)
What does Solomon say is “the whole duty of man” in these verses?
In verse 14, what does Solomon say God will do with every deed, even those done in secret?
The sermon mentioned that the Bible both “soothes” and “stings.” What examples did the pastor give for each of these effects?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Solomon ends his book by focusing on the fear of God and obedience to His commands, rather than on wisdom, pleasure, or work?
The sermon said the Bible is “supernatural and sufficient, given by the one true Shepherd.” What does it mean for the Bible to be “sufficient” for life and godliness?
The pastor said, “The same Word that brings comfort can also bring conviction, reminding us that growth often comes through discomfort and correction.” Why is it important for us to experience both comfort and conviction from God’s Word?
Solomon says that God will bring every deed into judgment, including secret things. How does this truth affect the way we live, even when no one else is watching?

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to “reflect on the Bible daily.” What is your current habit of Bible reading and study? Is there a specific time or way you could make God’s Word a more regular part of your day?
The pastor said, “The Bible soothes our souls, safeguards us from error, sometimes stings us into action, and stabilizes us in the storms of life.” Which of these effects have you experienced most recently? Can you share a specific example?
Solomon calls us to “fear God.” The sermon explained that this means standing in awe and reverence, not just being afraid. What does a healthy fear of God look like in your daily life? Are there areas where you have lost a sense of reverence for God?
The message said, “Obedience is immediate, not delayed.” Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been putting off? What is one step you can take this week to obey Him right away?
The pastor reminded us that “eternity is real—be ready for judgment.” If you knew you would stand before God this week, is there anything you would want to change in your life? What would it look like to live with eternity in view, starting today?
The sermon shared the story of Arthur Stace, who wrote “Eternity” all over Sydney after being moved by a sermon. Is there a word or truth from God’s Word that you want to “write” on your life or share with others? How can you do that this week?
The pastor said, “The end of the matter is not that nothing matters, but that everything does, because we were made for eternity.” What is one “eternal” thing you want to focus on more, and what is one “temporary” thing you want to hold more loosely?

Sermon Clips

The end of the matter is to focus on eternal matters. Solomon's given us lots of resources. He's given us lots of advice. He's given us lots of instructions. But at the end of all of that, the end of the matter is to focus on eternal matters. [00:35:27] (21 seconds)

The Bible is to be studied. Next, the Bible soothes. When we study scripture, we discover how it soothed our soul. According to verse 10, the preacher sought to find words of delight. The word delight here refers to desires or pleasure. This makes me think of Psalm 119, 103, where the word says, how sweet are your words to my taste? Sweeter than honey to my mouth. Friends, when we get into God's word, there is nothing better to read. [00:40:07] (31 seconds)

Often think of the phrase when I'm preparing to preach that my job as the pastor is to comfort the afflicted. But there's another side of that. And we're to afflict the comfortable. You say, pastor, you're to afflict me. It's not really my job to do that. But sometimes the word of the Lord does that. It steps on our toes. It gets us out of our comfort zone. It makes us realize that maybe we need to get up and do more for Jesus. [00:43:01] (33 seconds)

We can hold on to firmly fixed truths in the word of God without wavering because God's word is trustworthy. Chuck Swindoll writes, a well -driven state keeps the tent in place. It secures it to the ground. Friends, when we're well -driven in the word of God, we'll not easily waver. The Bible stabilizes. [00:45:25] (23 seconds)

The Bible is no ordinary book because it comes from God. As we see in the last phrase of verse 11, it says, they are given by one shepherd. The picture of God as a shepherd is found throughout scripture. [00:45:51] (15 seconds)

We must resolve to obey God. It is what we've been called to do. It is our obedience that Jesus is longing for. There really is no other way than to trust and obey. It's the secret of wholeness and finding satisfaction in life. [00:53:17] (20 seconds)

This means that everyone will be answerable to the Almighty God. Me, you, the people who are not living for Jesus, the people who are not sitting in this room today, the people who are not sitting in any house of the Lord today, the people who are turning their backs on the Lord, we will be answerable to the Almighty for everything, even those things that we do in secret. Because there is no secret from God and God keeps meticulous records. [00:54:30] (30 seconds)

However, the good news is that Jesus absorbed the wrath that comes with judgment. Jesus took our punishment. Jesus went to the cross taking the judgment that you and I deserve by exchanging our rottenness righteousness for his righteousness. He did it all in one and he did it all for you and for me. [00:55:32] (28 seconds)

If I find in myself desires, which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world. If there's nothing in this world that satisfies us, and as believers, I pray that nothing in this world will ever satisfy us because we were created for something more and something more is eternity with Jesus. [00:58:25] (25 seconds)

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