Ecclesiastes 12:9–14 ‘Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.’(v13)
The basis of Christian maturity is clear: ‘fear God and keep his commandments’. It’s why we maintain a discipline of reading Scripture daily, and is the reason for Every Day with Jesus.
Scripture informs our decision-making. So, to learn more of God and His ways helps us to make good, God- centred choices. But there’s a price to pay in choosing God, for we must often set aside our own preferences. We will also find that our assumptions about our life will be tested. God’s way is going to challenge all our preferences, and we will face the deep pain of sacrifice. At times we shall need to dig deep to remain faithful, and our life will experience challenges and disappointments. We are invited to face each circumstance with faith alone.
The shadow of faith is always doubt, for faith is insubstantial. Built upon the promise of an unseen, yet eternal, God, it requires our trust. In my experience, such trust is interrupted regularly by nagging doubts. All doubt does is to invite me to decide where I will take my stand. I side with God, even though I am uncertain quite why, and am fearful of the consequences of choosing faith. Yet, having selected God, I feel I’ve little option but to live deliberately within God’s way, with hope ever before me even as my knees buckle and I become but a shadow of the stereotype of God’s man of faith. Good news, God still loves and accepts me.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Job 28:20–28; Psa. 111:6–10; Phil. 2:12–30; 2 Tim. 1:6–14.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Recentre yourself and lift up your heart by focusing on God and reciting your anthem for life.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, in my many doubts help me to keep my eyes focused on You through faith. Amen.’
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