I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, what doest thou? Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. (Ecclesiastes 8:2-5)
This is wonderful advice from a book largely about an honest appraisal of life on earth and the futility of life without the Lord. Life in itself is vanity; it is futile. If this was all there is to it, what point would there be to existence? I feel sorry for people who choose not to believe in God. This advice is sobering yet assuring. We are a higher being than just a mere created species. There is more to us than an animal. There is a Higher Power, a Superior Being. He is not a faceless force. He is a person, and his title is King. Those who yield their lives to him know that regardless of what they have or don’t have, they have a King. We have a King. We belong to a kingdom.
It’s a shame leaders are not leading. There is lots of talk but very little action behind the words as if the mere words were adequate. I’m glad you and I belong to a kingdom with a King whose words mean something. His word lives. It accomplishes things. The scripture says where the word of a king is, there is power. We don’t have empty words in the Bible. Our God walks the talk. When he promises, he performs it. When he says it will happen, it happens. His word reveals the type of God he is. He lives up to the description. He is the creator of all with dominion over all. Even Satan is subject to God.
The verse goes on to say who may say unto him, what doest thou? God’s word prevails. Man tries to twist it. We rebel against it. Regardless of our reaction, our words will fall. Many earthly kings and rulers have spoken great words, but they are gone. The King of Kings spoke and it came to pass. He is from everlasting to everlasting. His word can be trusted. It should also be obeyed. Seek ye first the kingdom of God.
The world and the devil can bluff us because they can’t stand behind what they say. Only God can stand behind every word he says. He has power to cause what didn’t exist to exist. Through his word, Jesus, THE WORD, was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Every time a lost person believes and receives the word of God, he makes something out of nothing and transforms a life making that person a child of God. We’re then kept by his word. Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing. Life can be a scary thing. Bad things can happen in a moment’s notice. If we trust in the commandment of the King, we will be all right.
In verse 2 King Solomon gives us some good advice. I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment. Whatever God says is sin is sin. Whatever God says is right is right. It won’t change to suit us. The conforming must be on our part. He cautions us not to be hasty and careless to be out of the sight of the King. Don’t get complacent with your nearness to God. He is the only one with the authority and the only one wise enough to do what he wills. None is more able; none is more selfless. He looks out for us. He has our best interest at heart. He can do whatsoever he desires. He could exercise his righteous judgment toward us, but he shows us love and mercy.
We could have no better governor and King. There is power for us each day. His word will stand when all others are silent. His last words were 2,000 years ago, and they are just as powerful and life changing today as then. Soon he will speak in the clouds of glory. The dead in Christ will rise. We who are alive will be changed. He’ll interrupt all words. I want to be on the Lord’s side. Let’s not be fooled by all the words being spoken around us today. God is who he says he is. Follow Solomon’s advice. Obey the commandments of the King. It’s for our own happiness and peace of mind in this crazy time we live.
Even now we have a word from our King!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 