“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
When Christ was asked about the greatest commandment, He declared that it is to love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37). God alone, as Almighty and Lord over all, is worthy of this degree of devotion. In light of who He is and what He has done, the conclusion of the whole matter is clear: it is our whole duty to fear and obey Him (Eccl. 12:13). Indeed, Paul calls this our “reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1).
Yet, who can truly love God with their entire being? Who can render perfect fear and obedience? Edward Leigh rightly observed, “God has promised to help us by His Spirit in holy duties. Therefore we must not only look to the commandment enjoining duty, but to the promise showing God’s mercy in helping us.”[1] The covenant of grace supplies what God requires. Christ Himself testified, “…without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Scripture abounds with this union of command and promise. God commands: “Cast away from you all your transgressions, and make you a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezek. 18:31). Then He promises: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you” (Ezek. 36:26). He commands, “Fear God, and keep his commandments” (Eccl. 12:13), and He promises, “I will cause you to walk in my statutes” (Ezek. 36:27). He commands us not to harden our hearts (Heb. 3:8), but promises to take away the stony heart and give one of flesh (Ezek. 36:26). He commands prayer (Phil. 4:6), but promises His Spirit of grace and supplication (Zech. 12:10).
That is to say, it is not our efforts that compel God to fulfill His Word, but rather His promises fulfilled that enable us to act in obedience. Thus, when we draw near with upright hearts, we may know that our service, however feeble, will be accepted. “If you do well, shall you not be accepted?” (Gen. 4:7). As Moses taught, offerings made with a pure heart are pleasing (Lev. 1:3-4; 22:21; 23:11; Exod. 28:36, 38). Paul confirms it: “Whatever good thing any man does, the same shall he receive of the Lord” (Eph. 6:8).
To fear God rightly, then, is to stand in awe of His holiness, to love Him for His grace, and to obey Him in reliance on His Spirit. This is the end of the matter.
Contemplations:
- Reverential fear and love. Lord, do I demonstrate a level of true affection and reverential fear of You that You alone are worthy of? I know that whatever love and devotion I can offer springs only from Your grace shed abroad in my heart.
- God as beginning and end. Lord, I know You are the beginning and the end of all things, and I fear You rightly because of this truth. You alone uphold all, and before You all must give account.
- Fear with comfort. I read that the churches of Judea, being in peace, were edified and walked in the fear of God, and were filled with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. In reverential fear, I too am drawn nearer to Your presence.
- Fear guarding obedience. When I rightly fear You, Lord, I am in awe of You. That is when I take the greatest heed to Your commandments, lest I offend You.
Prayer (adoration)
O Lord, eternal King, holy and righteous, I adore You as the beginning and end of all things. You are the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. All creation exists by Your will, and every work will be brought before Your judgment seat. I bow before You, for this is the conclusion of the whole matter: to fear You and to keep Your commandments.
I worship You for Your holiness, that You cannot lie, cannot change, cannot fail. You are faithful even when man is faithless. You command, and it is done; You promise, and it is certain. I adore You for the covenant of grace, in which You give what You require, enabling Your people by Your Spirit to do what pleases You.
I praise You for the perfection of Your law, which reflects Your nature and shows my duty. I praise You for the gospel, which supplies grace where I fall short. I adore You for joining command with promise, precept with provision. You bid me fear, love, obey—and then You give me a new heart, a new spirit, and the Spirit of grace and supplication.
I worship You for Your mercy that accepts the obedience of faith, weak though it is. You have said, “If you do well, shall you not be accepted?” You delight in offerings made with a pure heart. I adore You for such mercy, that even my trembling service is precious in Your sight.
Lord, I lift my soul in awe that You, the Judge of all the earth, will bring every work into judgment, every secret thing, whether good or evil. To know this fills me with reverent fear as well as joy, for in Christ I am clothed with righteousness, and my works, though imperfect, are made acceptable.
I worship You, O Christ, who declared the greatest commandment, who fulfilled it perfectly, who loved the Father with all Your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In You I see what man was created to be, and in You I find the grace to be what I could never be on my own.
O Spirit of God, I adore You, for You shed abroad the love of God in my heart. You turn fear into reverence, duty into delight, commandments into joy. You enable me to walk in God’s statutes, to obey from my heart, and to worship in spirit and truth.
Lord, You are to be feared, obeyed, and adored. For You alone are worthy. You are glorious. You are my God.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Eccl. 12:13-14:
Psa. 51:19, Isaiah 60:7, Ezek. 43:27, 20:40-41, Mal. 3:4
[1] Edward Leigh, A Treatise of the Divine Promises in Five Books (London: George Miller, 1641), 369.
