Beautiful Word Devotional #186

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

At first glance, this imperative sounds harsh. Fear. Commandments. Duty. But remember, God’s commandments aren’t the same as a drill instructor making us do extreme things to prove our total obedience.

God’s heart for us is evident throughout his commandments. They are guidelines established for our welfare, instituted because he loves us. We don’t steal because stealing impoverishes our hearts and harms someone God loves. We don’t murder because it takes the life of one of his children. We honor our parents because God has placed us in their family, and the family is the foundation of a healthy, moral society.

Fearing God means we follow him with more passion than we follow after the things of this world. We value God’s opinion of us more than we value the opinions of others.

Living this way—living according to God’s commandments—will bring not only a sense of wholeness as you live the way your Creator designed you to live but also deeper joy.

Lord, I want to honor you by keeping your commandments today and every day. Please help me, amen.