Is Time Really On Your Side?
As we go through life, we are all affected by time. In fact, we measure our existence in time. We count years, look toward milestones and set goals as time passes. This is the natural thing to do as we assign our beginning to the date we are born, and everything beyond that is based on time.
In 1963, Jerry Ragavoy using the pseudonym “Norman Meade” wrote a song with the title: “Time Is On My Side”. This is perhaps best known as a recording by the Rolling Stones in 1964 which is about unrequited love and how that the situation would resolve itself when the departed lover would come running back because time was on the side of the jilted one.
This type of thinking has permeated the minds of many today as they think of that which should happen, or what they desire to happen in their lives. In the realm of accomplishments, often one is encouraged to keep at it; to strive for achievement, and “one day” it will happen. The same is true in many areas of life. Folks are encouraged and advised to keep pushing and not to doubt, and given enough time “such and such” can happen. I guess this is true, as it would also be eventually possible to fill a fifty-five-gallon drum with water by only adding one drop at a time – if you kept it up long enough. Perseverance is also clearly taught in God’s Word.
However, many fail to realize or consider the brevity and uncertainty of life. There are too many folks who vainly believe they will have long lives. Some are so bold as to even quote scripture as proof as if this were a guarantee that they will be granted these years. They point to Psalm 90:10 as proof. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Why is it that man so often reads one part of a passage and then ignores the other?
Does not the latter part of this verse declare that even what strength we possess is labor and sorrow because “we fly away”? Are there not enough other scriptures dealing with the “short time” we have on this earth and the need to do with our time what is best for us eternally? As we contemplate the poor suffering servant Job, of Job 7:6, we would be remiss to not recall what he said about the fleeting time of life. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. Then, we read in Job 9:25 another reminder of the brevity of it. Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. And, I am sure we all remember the admonition the Spirit gave James to write in James 4:13-14 to those who thought they had “time on their side”. Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Can we not see that we should take care of that which is most important while there is still time? We all prioritize, but do we do this properly with time and the swift passing of it in consideration? Near the middle of that great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus in Matthew 6:33 reminded the Jews what their time was to be spent on first, and that all the other things of life would also be addressed as well. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Many are told that they have their whole lives ahead of them, especially those that are younger. This is a true statement for all, but how much time does that entail? Take a few minutes on any given day of the week and peruse the obituary column of most any newspaper. In these you will find the death notices of people of all ages. An interesting fact that applies to all the folks listed there, is that they have all run out of time in this life.
2Corinthians 6:2 is where we read what the Spirit had Paul write the brethren there to remind them that time is not on our side if we have not yet been obedient to the gospel. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) The same is true for each of us today. If we have not been obedient, we need to do so now. If we have obeyed the gospel, we need to remain faithful because time may just run out for any of us. At our deaths, or the Lord’s return (whichever comes first), time for us will be no more.
Time also means nothing to God as He is everlasting. 2Peter 3:8-9 tells us this as well as the fact that He desires that we repent of our sins and turn to Him. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not- willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Don’t let time run out on you. All need to address the needs of their soul in accordance to God’s Word now. Time is not on your side. Time may run out for you today.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
