What time is this? What day is this? Are we finding God's presence represented in our daily lives? Is there an urgency directing us to be ready with a Spirit-led response to the ways of the world that surround us? Are we breathlessly waiting to make a difference?
The writer of Hebrews 13: 11-14 prompts us, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
Concerning the day and the time, it is clear that the the Word of God and Christianity are being diluted with poisonous moral relativism. Our culture seems to be one of self-absorption, as well. What will make MY day better? Who will help ME today? How much entertainment can I find today? Are schedules jammed so full that there is not time for reaching out to others? Has the concept of a sacrificial lifestyle disappeared?
I pray that I'll have discernment and wisdom in these days. A very powerful passage to me is Psalm 90: 10-12, "The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom."
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thess. 5:1-11
ReplyDeleteYes, let us not sleep but let us watch....
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