One of the things I was always praying regarding my daughters is that I want the best for them. Then I started to ponder my words, what is the best for them? I realized my prayer was selfish. When making this petition to God, I was thinking what I believed was best for them instead of what is actually the best for them from a Biblical perspective. You see, what we as parents want for our children is not necessarily what they want for themselves. So the Lord reminded me of His word and I redirected my prayer.
Here is what I pray regarding my daughters now for this is the only reason for living.
In Ecclesiates 12:13-14 we read, "Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: "Fear God and keep His (italics added for emphasis) commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil."
These verses above require getting to know God on a deep intimate level. Proverbs 1:7 says, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." We have only two types of people in this world, the wise and the foolish. You see, I have discovered because of sin, we are going to have many trials and tribulations in our lives. With God, we will endure and gain victory. Without the Lord, your suffering and perpetual defeat will have no end. Why? Because the fool has no redemptive purpose in life no matter how materially successful they are - that person's wealth, fame and prestige will perish with them.
Our Time Is Short Here
James the half-brother of Jesus gives us these sobering and humble words, "What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Translation: our lives compared to eternity is a puff of smoke! Most of the world does not have the slightest awareness the brevity of their lives until it is too late.
Fear God and keep his commands for that is why we are here.
To do anything other than obey the Lord is a life wasted.
So, if you really want to know your life to count, ask the Lord and He will direct you (Proverbs 3:5-6). Let me say this for it is very important. Do not think you can pursue the Lord through wicked means and intentions. Let me explain:
A woman or man dancing at the strip club is not giving glory to God or blessed because they're making a lot of money and says "Thank you Jesus!" A preacher that is preaching the social gospel and has a huge congregation with lots of fame and money instead of the gospel of repentance that saves is not glorifying God. Jesus marked these type of people and said, "These people draw near to me with their mouths, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8-9;Mark 7:6-7).
We all know talk is often cheap. God judges the fruit (i.e deeds) of a person not just their words. What is in a person's heart will be revealed through their actions.
Intelligent people are driven by purpose. They set goals. Some are short term and others may take years to fulfill. They develop a plan to execute them to fulfill their dreams. Those who I call hyper-driven realize challenges and set backs are part of the journey and use those experiences as stepping stones and fuel to drive them forward. Some with time, patience, dedication and hard work reach and sometimes exceed their goals. They can then breathe a sigh of relief, and then it is on to the next challenge. That is the life of determined people.
But, if all we accomplish is not for the glory of God, we fall into the tragic reality of those who gained the world and lose their soul (Matthew 16:26). What is the moral of this article? Solomon told us:
Fear God and obey His commands for this is man's whole duty...
- Ecclesiates 12:13-14