“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
The preacher in Ecclesiastes gives us the sum of his words in the final verses of his writing. Wisdom calls upon us to honor our Maker and Redeemer because every work, every thought, every desire — including our every secret — will be exposed and judged by God, whether it be good or bad! There will be no secret or hidden sins on that day! The only remedy, the only escape from God’s just condemnation is to take refuge in the blood of Jesus, shed upon the cross to atone for our sinful ways! “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).
Have mercy upon me, O God. I have sinned in my thoughts, desires, words, and deeds, and I deserve nothing but Your eternal wrath and punishment. Cleanse me in the shed blood of Christ Jesus, my Savior, and spare me in the day of Your righteous judgment. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]