Today’s Reading, Ecclesiastes 9-12
Focal Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”
Secrets can last for a little while but eventually the truth will be revealed. This is true in every area of life. For instance I know of a a very wealthy person that has helped many people. They do it in silence and with no recognition. Their desire is to help those who are in need but they don’t desire for anyone to know they are involved. They have a big heart and live for anonymity. Then I know people who have done evil and think they are getting away with it because others do not know about it currently. In a few instances, a handful of people have covered up the evil to protect themselves and even the organization. Thankfully, the evil and good that are done does not stay hidden from others forever.
In today’s reading it is revealed that both the good and evil actions that happen from people will be revealed. The writer even goes on to say that even the hidden actions that are good and evil we be exposed. The point is dramatic and clear, nothing is hidden from the Lord and nothing will be hidden from people. If we keep his commands we have nothing to fear or be concerned about when our actions are revealed. If our hearts and motives are evil we will be called out by the Lord himself.
So what about you today? When your decisions and actions are revealed will they be evil or good? It is important to take good inventory of how you think, act and behave around others. It is also important to take note how you think, act, and behave when nobody is around. Our actions should be such that we don’t mind if others find out about what’s going on inside our hearts and minds.
The challenge for us as believers is to not try and be perfect. It is to live in a way that we honor God and his commands. Far too often we make excuses for our actions and our behaviors. Far too often people act certain ways because they believe it will never be exposed. This is not a healthy or biblical way to lead yourself. It is also not a healthy way to live for Christ in the world.
Our actions should be such that we know that the Lord would be pleased. They also should be such that if we are exposed we don’t have a sense of panic. That is the challenge I have for myself personally. Do I live in a way that I am ok with every detail of my life being exposed? The answer right now is no. However, now that I know that, I have a goal to shoot for, I have sin that must be wealth with.
So what about you? Let us live in such a way that the Lord is pleased and we have no sense of panic of dread if others find out our innermost thoughts and deeds.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Song of Songs 1-8
