Scripture Reference: "Behold, NOW is the favorable time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
The title above is taken directly from a short book written over fifty years ago by a Pastor, Dr. Jack Hyles, entitled Blue Denim and Lace. The book is comprised of a series of vignettes of life wisdom that Dr. Hyles managed to acquire through a lot of years, and most certainly, many tears.
I have often reflected on the chapter When Time is No Longer. I am in my 70’s now and can hardly believe God has been gracious to give me that long on the earth to proclaim Him though not having come to know Him until my early 20’s. There were many occasions when I did not want much more time as the days were so very difficult and painful. Yet, God, in His faithfulness, has given me a far greater appreciation for time, its meaning, and its essence.
Please enjoy this small portion of the chapter When Time Is No Longer:
“The older I get the more I realize that perhaps the greatest gift that I could give you is my time. Actually, the only gift that I can give is my time. If I give you money, I give you the time it took me to earn that money. If I give you a gift, I give you the time it took me to earn the money with which I bought the gift. Perhaps, then, it is true that time is the only thing that I can really give to you. Time is probably the greatest gift for several reasons.
When I give you my time, I am giving you my life, for time is life. If one takes the life of another, actually he takes only time from him. Murder is [simply] taking from a person the amount of time that he would have lived anyway. So, in a real sense, when I give to you my time, I am giving to you my life, for time is life. How much more could I honor you than to give you, my time? How much more could you honor me than to give me your time? My time with you is an investment. Your time with me is an investment. Let us care for each other’s investment wisely.”
For sake of brevity, I’ll not recount the rest of the Chapter, but if anyone wants it, I can send a copy via email or snail mail to you.
The point is this; time is precious, it is finite. The lessons we learn are learned within this odd-to-define sphere that is really a blip on the screen of eternity. Are you “doing time”? In a prison? In a relationship? In your own long-established sin-pattern? Nothing, especially “time” is outside the purview of the mighty hand of God’s providence in our individual lives. Though our current “time” may be filled with thoughts of regret and the state of heartsickness, a deep depression perhaps, God is fully able and willing to use it all, redeem every lost moment of this precious commodity, for our good. He heals, and amazingly, fully redeems time; that which we thought was lost or is now being lost. We become more sanctified in Holiness toward Him. Our desires change so that they are His desires.
Solomon, the God-inspired author of Ecclesiastes, wrote of time in Ecclesiastes 3:
3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Here's another biblical perspective on time:
"35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly." Deuteronomy 32:35
These are WARNINGS to us to take not the blessings of God for granted, to assume we have “plenty of time” because we are young, or secure in being well-off, or blame-shifting our sin as in, ‘It’s their fault I’m in this predicament. We have all wasted the finite gift of time. We have dishonored the finite time of others by wasting it.
The day of salvation is today. Now. It is a “favorable time”. But it will not always be so. You are not promised even the rest of this day. But if you have it, take this time to throw yourself at the mercy of God, seeking full redemption and forgiveness of sin. This is your time.
For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor 6:2
Victoria J. Burch, Member of the Board, In Perfect Peace Ministries, 11/1/2022
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