​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
 
 
 
When one looks at life and ponders: 
What is it all about?
Why am I here?
What’s my purpose?
How can I discover meaning?
God has presented us with an answer in his Word:  the above verse.
 
The purpose for living is to fear God and keep his commandments.  By learning his Word and submitting ourselves to it, we can find the true meaning of life.  We might often ask ourselves questions based on feelings of being human.  We search for our destiny based on what society offers.  We follow the paths given to us.  Or, we are now down a road by which we have only reacted.  As we travel this path of life, we may sometimes feel clueless, although we have treasures of knowledge by society’s standards.  We also may have acquired “things” to show that “we have what it takes” in this society, yet, we can feel empty. 
 
In searching out the solution to rid ourselves of unwanted feelings, we can turn to the Word of God.  In this case, when we ponder “what’s up with life?” we have this specific verse to give us direction.  We know that when we turn our anxieties over to God, we are assured that he will take care of them.  Our anxiety for life’s questions dissipates as we reverence God and seek diligently to keep his commandments.  In the midst of our pondering, we discover that God’s Word is the answer to life’s most profound questions. 

​Thank you Lord for taking care of me. In situations where I am vulnerable, you have come to my rescue. The circumstances are such that I would cave in to the natural person, but, as your Word says, your Spirit will quicken me. Although I am weak, You are strong. Your angels come to rescue me as You direct the situation. I must only trust in You, and allow You to take control.

Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to take heed to Your Word. I want to do what is right, but many times evil is present. Let not this evil put me under, but You are there for my direction and protection. I plead with You to buffer me from the arrows of the enemy so that I will not fall short of performing according to Your Word. Put evil away from me. Let me not desire to do the things of the flesh, but let me only seek to walk in Your Spirit, seeking Your ways. Thank You, Lord.

When I think of some circumstances I have had in my life that I really didn't want, I realize that I had them for me to  become closer to You, Lord. Your Word in Psalms 119:71 says, “I am glad that I was afflicted so that I may learn your decrees.”  I realize that I do not want to deal with some situations, but, when I take a closer look, I see that I need them.  I desperately need them to keep me closer to You. Without them, I understand that I can stray from Your Way. To overcome these undesirable situations, I know that I must be able to follow Your Way closely. If the situation were removed, I ask, "Will I stay on the course of Your Way as closely as I am because of the situation?"  If I answer no, I need the situation just as Paul needed a stone in his side. The circumstances, although feeling uncomfortable to my flesh, are there to keep me narrowly on Your Way. 

​Let me be strong in You, O Lord.