October 8
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ECCLESIASTES 12
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.13 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 12:9-14
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ECCLESIASTES 12 ANTIDOTES TO VANITY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
We can work hard to pursue things and do our best
But if it is to satisfy our own desires, it is pointless
If we exist only for the purpose of following our cravings
We are just living our lives without depth and meaning
There are antidotes to vanity: fear God and follow his laws
When we live in the fear of the Lord, we will honor his word
Everything we do when we love our Maker will now make sense
We will not have the emptiness inside as he fulfills his promises.
There is nothing more important in our lives than to please him
It will make us faithful to obey his word so we won’t habitually sin
The fear of the Lord is the purpose of our lives, it’s the source of wisdom
As we honor our majestic God, he will faithfully lead us to freedom
No longer will we follow our sinful nature, be indifferent or shallow
We will hunger for his presence always and begin to mature and grow
The whole duty of man is to obey his commands and to fear the Lord
Without these antidotes, we will continue to be vain and immature.
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REFLECTION
• How is fearing the Lord and obeying his commands antidotes to vanity?
• What kinds of vanity do you see in your community that keeps man from doing their duty of fearing God and keeping his laws?