The confession of Solomon
Ecclesiastes 12:1~14 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails – given by one Shepherd. (11)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #369 What a Friend We Have in Jesus (#487 in previous version)
God chose Solomon and raised him as the greatest king, but Solomon in his later years did not fully enjoy the blessings that God had bestowed on him and instead experienced the failure of his kingdom being divided in the coming generation. He reigned over his kingdom with the wisdom that God gave him, but as idols from other countries were brought into Israel due to political marriage, he was led into hardships. Solomon confessed that everything is meaningless, and the only thing that is not meaningless is the Word of God (Ecclesiastes 12:11) How must we enjoy the Word of God?
1. We must remember our Creator
The Creator is God who is the one in control of life and the Lord of our lives. What has been engraved in our mind is displayed in our life through our thoughts. We must always remember God and engrave the Word of God in our mind. In addition, God answers and blesses us as individuals through His Word. When we hold on to the plan that He has given to us in the Word of God and always remember the Word of God that we have received, the greatest answer that God gives to us today will be restored.
2. We must uncover God’s plan before it’s too late
Solomon tells us to remember our Creator before it’s too late, before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark (Ecclesiastes 12:1~2). Without exactly knowing what God desired, Solomon faced hardships and suffered agony. We must realize what God desires. Why did God put us in this place? When God’s desire is accomplished through our life, we can enjoy the greatest blessing.
3. Everything is in God’s hands
As time passes, the world will become more wicked and the end of our individual life and the end of times will come (Ecclesiastes 12:1~8). Spiritual destitution is impending and there will be more of the people who do not know God and problems will grow more serious. At such times, confessing that everything is in God’s hands and keeping God’s commands are the duties of man. All reasons and conclusions are in God’s plans. As we remember this fact, when we look for the answer and direction in the Word of God, God will lead us to the blessing of the throne. -
Let our emotional scars be healed in the name of Jesus Christ and let us plant in the Word of God in our heart like a firmly embedded nail. God’s power will be testified through us who are filled with the Holy Spirit. What is the Word of God we will hold onto today? Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 2nd Service / 2012.4.15