Six Words Worth Heeding

In looking at Scripture, I’ve often wondered how King Solomon might have summed up his life in six words. As a young man, he could have written: “God has given me great wisdom” (1 Kings 4:29-34). But in his later years, he might have said: “Should have practiced what I preached” (1 Kings 11:1-8).

During his kingly reign, distinguished by peace and prosperity, Solomon developed spiritual heart problems. When he was old, “his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David” (1 Kings 11:4).

The result was God’s displeasure and a sad end to a previously exemplary life (1 Kings 11:9-10).

The many times that Solomon uses the word “vanity” [empty or meaningless] in Ecclesiastes, may indicate his disillusionment about life and its many challenges.

This once-wise king who had it all, pondered it all and lost it all, ended the book with these six words:

“Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

 Dear reader, now these are six words worth heeding!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets