Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)

In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon went through a whole discourse about the meaninglessness of life. The reason he saw it this way is because he had followed after false gods, and life doesn’t mean a thing without the true God. God is life. God gives life. God makes life meaningful.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV)

When he sums everything up in Chapter 12, Solomon tells us to remember God when we’re young because we will get old sooner than we think. He describes the aging process in chapter 12, along with death. The point is to live life with no regrets, and the only way to do that is to live life with God and for God. Solomon certainly had regrets- that is why Ecclesiastes has the tone it has. He regretted the path he had followed. Looking back, he saw his mistakes and is trying to tell us how empty and useless it is to live life on your own terms.

Solomon’s final thought in Eccelsiastes is that man’s true duty, after all has been said and done, is to fear God and keep His commandments. This is what is best for man. What God expects and requires of us is simplified into two things in this single verse.

1. Fear, or reverence, God. Worship Him and honor Him.

2. Keep His commands. Love and live by God’s Word.

To find purpose and meaning of life, find and follow God. Love Him and His Word. It’s not complicated. Remember God in all you do.