It’s About Time!
Most of our country today is dealing with ‘time’. Forty eight of the fifty states in our nation recognize and utilize ‘Daylight Savings Time’. Hawaii and Arizona have chosen not to participate. This does not mean that the fine citizens of these states are unconcerned with time. Time has an effect upon all. We are all ‘subject’ to time. In Job 14:1, we see the observation of this suffering servant. He said: Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Although we may live 70, 80 or more years, none of us are going to live forever. Neither are we going to live a life without a certain amount of difficulty.
The Spirit had the ‘wise man’ in Eccl. 3:1, inform that there is a “season” for everything and a “time to every purpose under the heaven”. As we read seven verses that follow, we see that every aspect of life is addressed, and the word “time” has twenty eight occurrences. One cannot read these verses without realizing that time is indeed important. We also should be acutely aware that our ‘time’ is limited on earth. Psa. 90:10 is one of many verses of the Old Testament supporting this. 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.
From the New Testament, we see in Jas. 4:14 that our sojourn here only lasts a “little time”. 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. Because all will only spend a limited period on the earth, it is imperative that we use our brief stint here properly. Eccl 9:10 tells us: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. While we live, doesn’t it make perfect sense that we attend to the things of life that matter beyond this life? I think it does.
But what are these things that matter beyond this life? While they cannot be the things ‘of this life’, they must be attended to ‘in this life’ as we saw in the previous verse. These things also cannot be the ‘things of the world’ as 1Jno. 2:15-17 clearly shows and also shows why. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. The things of this life and the things of this world cease to be our concern as soon as we leave this life.
A favorite hymn for many, Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand, conveys the message of life and how we are to spend our ‘time’ on earth. Our hymnal only has three verses, but I will provide the words of all four, as they provide insight to every aspect of life including what lies beyond for the obedient and the faithful.
Time is filled with swift transition.
Naught of earth unmoved can stand.
Build your hopes on things eternal.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Trust in Him who will not leave you.
Whatsoever years may bring.
If by earthly friends forsaken,
Still more closely to Him cling.
Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay.
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures.
They will never pass away.
When your journey is completed,
If to God you have been true,
Fair and bright the home in Glory
Your enraptured soul will view.
Refrain:
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Build your hopes on things eternal.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
The phrase “it’s about time” is often used when a person finally does that which should have already been done. Many have heard the gospel, yet fail to obey. Christians are to continue in obedience always as the Spirit had Paul write: Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Eph 5:16) Even Saul (Paul) had to be reminded that time was short after he had heard the gospel and knew his soul’s true condition. In Acts 22:16 he was told: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” What about you? It’s about time! It may soon be too late. Another phrase also fits – “Time’s a wastin.”
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
