Bible Thoughts

July 21, 2002

The Psalmist recognized the brevity of life. He knew that his time on this earth was limited. One has only to glance around to understand this. The cemetery is added proof of his words. Whether one lives a long life or a short life, it is still short. When this truth is recognized, the right thinking person will take advantage of all of the opportunities that are presented to the individual. "I have been young, and now am old"(Psalm 37:25). In comparison to eternity, a life span is less than a minor speck on the sands of time.

"For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven"(Ecclesiastes 3:1).

As humans, we are locked in time. When we recognize this truth, we use our time wisely. The faithful disciple takes time for the Lord, for his/her family, for work, for pleasure, and for relaxing. A well ordered life will use the time upon this earth to have an abundant, fruitful, and satisfying journey. There is a time for every purpose for which humans were created. Some rush through time; others delay using time correctly; while those who follow the ways of the world and Satan, waste their time. The faithful disciple of Christ uses his time to glorify and honor the Son of God by his attitude, his life, and his goals.

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon you"(Hosea 10:12).

A great passage from the Old Testament prophet. It is filled with meaning for those who seek the Lord and would be applicable to every generation. He is pointing out that we are to spend time being righteous; using kindness; making progress in truth. Such conduct will cause righteousness to be rained upon the one who seeks Jehovah. It does take time to be good to others, and, even to be kind to those who are unkind to us. Spending one's time in unpleasantness and misery brings only sorrow and unhappiness into such a life.

“Walk in wisdom toward those that are without, redeeming the time”(Colossians 4:5).

The word “redeem” carries the idea of “to fulfill.” Hence, when one redeems time, they are fulfilling by engaging in meaningful activities that increase and indicate their loyalty to the Lord. A further definition: “To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences”(American Heritage Dictionary). When time is used wisely, we are avoiding circumstances that waste and soil the Christian’s service to God. Let each of us always look for good and honorable activities as we spend the time that God has allotted to each of us.

“For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God: and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food”(Hebrews 5:12).

The Lord expects those who belong to him to increase their knowledge of His will as time passes. The ones whom the Hebrew writer is addressing neglected their searching and applying the truths of the word of God. Now, they needed to recover what they lost due to their lack of study and application over time. Their time had not been spent in such a manner that they would prepare them to teach others. Hence, Paul says they could not digest solid food, but were returned to babes who need a milk diet.

The acquiring of an understanding of the Word of God does take time and effort on the part of each Christian. Depending only upon what one hears in a Bible class or from the pulpit is not enough. Time must be spent in searching and learning the scriptures outside of those public activities. We often spend time in many fields that apply to the affairs of this life while neglecting to give sufficient time to gain a better knowledge and understanding of the word of God. Take time to study. Take time to practice what you learn. Take time to share your knowledge with others. All of these activities will be time well spent!

"Then David's anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, 'As the Lord lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.'"(II Samuel 12:5).

The prophet had related a story to David concerning a rich man who had great flocks. The man had a visitor and, as was common in that day, proceeded to feed the traveler. Instead of slaying one of his own from his great herds, he slew and prepared a meal using a "poor man's ewe lamb." David's sense of honor and fairness caused him to conclude the rich man should die.

Nathan then pointed out that David was the man in the story from the prophet. Selfishness is a bitter pill that entraps many people. David had no right to Uriah's wife. The king had his own wives. Yet, he sought to satisfy his own lustful desires by taking the wife of another. Such selfishness caused a basically good man to make a serious mistake that would stain his character. In the mercy of God, the Lord enacted a penalty from David(the loss of a child) but permitted him to live. Even men who strive to be righteous can be selfish, making mistakes that tend to mar their character.

Selfishness has hindered many who want to follow the Lord. One can be selfish in his/her time by not extending assistance to those in need. One can be selfish by refusing to spend time in studying the word of God. One can be selfish by ignoring the services of the church while spending time in worldly pursuits. One can be selfish by failing to contribute to the Lord(note: to the Lord, not to the church) by not giving as the Lord as prospered. Do not let selfishness influence your decisions and actions. The Lord implored, "...Freely ye received, freely give"(Matthew 10:8). God's Unchanged Law