What Time Is It, Really?

Political apprehension is building once again as we approach “mid-term” elections this November. I pray you are taking the time to investigate and weigh all the candidates up for election in your community, state and nationally. Maybe this would be a good time to adapt a “Twelve Step” principle that goes like this: “There are two days of the week about which we should never worry or fear. One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and faults and its aches and pains. Yesterday has past, forever beyond our control. We cannot bring it back. The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow with its burdens and disappointments. This leaves only one day – today. Anyone can fight the battles of just one day. It’s not the problems of just one day that push us over the edge. It’s when we add to today’s problems all the remorse of the past and all the dread of what tomorrow may bring that we become overwhelmed. Live one day at a time.”

[Ecclesiastes 3:1-17] What time is it? This question is readily answered by looking at your time-piece or a clock on the wall. You might reply, “It’s eight o’clock”. However, the question I ask here is, “What time is it, really?” In your life if you can imagine a lifetime represented by 24 hours, what time is it for you? Time for a newborn would be 12:01 a.m. At age ten, 3:00 a.m. At age twenty, it is 6:00 a.m. At age thirty, 9:00 a.m. At age forty, it is noon. At age fifty, it is 3:00 p.m. At age sixty, 6:00 p.m. At age seventy, 9:00 p.m. and beyond seventy, it is getting very late. What time is it for you? The Bible says that the days of our years are seventy or eighty years, if we have the strength, and that they quickly pass and we fly away (Psalm 90:10). In light of these facts, the Bible says, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). We all should remember that life is fragile and brief (James 4:14). What time is it for our nation? This nation was founded 242 years ago and the founders planned for it to be a Christian nation. They spoke of God and the need for God’s help. They believed that, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34) and the nation is blessed whose God is Jehovah (Psalm 33:12). Our Constitution is expressed evidence of their faith and the presence of the belief in God’s sovereignty is seen all over our nation’s capital on public buildings and in the prayers offered at the opening of sessions of Congress and the Supreme Court. How far we have departed from the intentions of the founders! We have legalized the killing of unborn children; we have been toying with the God given definition of marriage; we are calling good evil and evil good. Time will only tell if there will be enough salt and light to preserve our way of life. What time is for the world? The world is approaching “the end” (2 Peter 3:3-13). The end will be ushered in by the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the destruction of the world, and judgment. Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36); “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42); “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). So, what time is it? Good question! And here’s some good advice: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might...” (Ecclesiastes 9:10); and “...making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). “...now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).