Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Be Led

The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13

I remember the moment I truly understood and believed that I could hear God’s voice speaking on the inside of my heart, that I could be led by His Spirit in all my life’s decisions. That realization was a turning point. I no longer had to figure everything out on my own. I could lean into the guidance of the Holy Spirit within me.

Sure, I had heard that still, small voice many times before. But for years, I dismissed it as just my “conscience” or a helpful suggestion. When I finally recognized it as the voice of God, it changed everything. I became determined to listen and to trust His direction in all of life’s choices. Even when His guidance didn’t always make sense in the natural, I knew I could avoid the traps that I had previously fallen into time and again simply by following Him.

Ecclesiastes 12 was written near the end of Solomon’s life, and it reads like the reflections of a man who had come to grips with the reality of life’s fleeting pleasures and the enduring value of godly wisdom. I relate to that, because it wasn’t until my 40s that I began consistently following the Lord’s voice. For a while, I grieved the years I had spent chasing other things, feeling like I had wasted time that could have been used for God’s purposes.

But here’s the good news: nothing is wasted with God. Once I surrendered it all to Him, He began redeeming even my past sin and mistakes. The time I thought was lost, He has restored. The pain I thought was pointless, He is now using to encourage and strengthen others. He’s taken what the enemy meant to hurt me with and turning it into a good work for His Kingdom.

Below are some practical steps you can take to apply this truth in your everyday life.

1. Value God’s Word Over Noise
   The “words of the wise” are like goads, meant to keep us on the right path. Prioritize Scripture over self-help trends or endless information. Let God’s Word shape your mindset and decisions and be led by His Spirit
2. Live with Holy Reverence
   “Fear God” doesn’t mean to be afraid of Him, it means to honor, respect, and revere Him as the ultimate authority in your life. Start each day with this mindset, inviting God to lead before you respond to circumstances or move into action.
3. Obey Even When It’s Small
   Keeping God’s commandments includes the little things like being honest, kind, faithful, forgiving. Practice daily hearing and obedience in ordinary moments and trust God with the big picture.
4. Let Eternity Guide Your Priorities
   Verse 14 reminds us that every action, even secret ones, will come under God’s judgment. That’s not a threat, it’s an invitation to live with purpose. Let the reality of eternity give weight to how you live today.

You can start today to tune into where God’s Spirit is leading.  It is likely that you will need to do some healing first, so press into Him by following these simple points.

• Start your day with a simple prayer: “Lord, help me to hear Your voice and follow Your lead today.”
• Keep a notebook or journal titled “Led by the Spirit.” Write down promptings, scriptures, or moments when you sense God’s guidance and refer back to them when doubts and questions come.
• Choose obedience over overthinking. Don’t delay doing what God is nudging you to do, whether it’s a word of encouragement, an act of generosity, or a step of faith.
• Limit the distractions. Shut down the noise from too many voices (phone, online or in your own head), and make room to hear God clearly.

Solomon concluded that fearing God and obeying Him is the foundation of a meaningful life and he came to that truth after experiencing it all.

So today I want to encourage you if you’ve wandered, wasted time, or wondered if you’ve missed your moment, hear this: it’s never too late to live a Spirit-led life. God can redeem every chapter, restore lost years, and rewrite your story for His glory. Your job is not to have it all figured out. It’s to be led. Be led in love. Be led in obedience. Be led in faith. And when you do, your life will carry the weight of eternal purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

 9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.

10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.

12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.

14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

📝 Journal:

• Where have I been trying to lead myself instead of letting God lead me?
• What would it look like today to surrender my decisions, schedule, and direction to the Holy Spirit’s guidance?