Richard commented yesterday that since our move, time seems to be standing still, and yet at the same time it is flying. It seems like there is a Sunday than a blank and than a Sunday. Time goes so quickly that it is hard for us to keep up with all-the-goings-on! :-) Yet what is time for us? As James says in 4:14, "For you are a mist that appears for a little time and vanishes." We live for a short space of time on this earth and then we vanish, at least from the sight of those still living on earth. Why does the Lord have us here for 'a little time?' What are we to do in the short time we live on this earth? Let’s think about time from the perspective of Scripture given to us from a timeless God.
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for every matter under the heaven—being born, dying, planting, harvesting, etc. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 Solomon says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” In one translation John 16:22 says, “Now is your time to grieve….” In Esther we read that God calls forth His people for His work “at such a time as these.” Hosea 10:12 tells us to, “sow for yourselves righteousness;…..for it is time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Romans 5:6 reveals to us from whence our righteousness comes: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” From Galatians 4:4 we read, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Even our timeless God humbled Himself to come under the bondage of time to save the sons and daughters He loves. And we know He will come a second time in great glory. But as for sacrifices Hebrews 10:12 tells us, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…” “He perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
Let’s think now what He wants us to do in our time, with our time. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Time is loaned to us by God just as is money. God wants us to give back to Him tithes and offerings of our money, and in the same way He wants us to give back to Him tithes and offerings of our time. We need to be like Mary and spend time at Jesus’ feet. We need to understand the times as the men of Issachar did in 1 Chronicles 12:32, to know what their country ought to do. As Christians we ought always to glorify God in all things and at all times.
We can ‘waste’ time and we can ‘kill’ time. But we are here on this earth for such a short time it would be far better to ‘spend’ time, and spend it wisely. We need to prioritize our time, giving God the first fruits by meeting with Him daily. We need to spend time with our families, service to God, and friends. God even gives us time for rest on the Sabbath and time for fun. One day, we who love Him, will spend eternity with Him and time will be no more. May God bless the time He has given you and me while we walk in time.
