One of my Grandmothers (called “Grandma” actually) used to advise us: “Don’t ‘wish’ your life away!” (I, as an early teen, was bad to say: “I wish I was old enough to get my driver’s license.” Or … “I wish I was old enough to pastor a Church.”)
I’ve thought of her words many times, especially as I have aged. “Mike, “don’t ‘wish’ your life away!” She would then continue: “All in God’s Time.”
And the Apostle Paul, though in different terminology, says essentially the same thing in both Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5. “Redeeming the time.” (Not …”rushing” the time!)
Jesus too, while on earth two thousand years ago, kept His Eye on an approaching “Hour!” Once (in John 2:4) He said to His Mother: “Mine hour is not yet come.” He had in mind the “Hour” of His Sacrifice for the sins of the world, Calvary! (Meaning a specific “period” of time. That torturous Ordeal on the Cross lasted six hours, according to the four Gospels.) Still, our Lord never once “rushed” that hour!
But today our Bible Study (our Text) says, in describing the consequences of disobeying God … “In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! For the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear.” Deuteonomy 28:67
Again, because of fear and worry and terror … all due to Israel’s rebellion against God … “In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning!”
Yes, the exclamation point is really in the Text, King James Version!
Wishing one’s life away!
Dreading every single day!
And night!
How better any child of God would live … if he or she simply did what God said, as a habitual way of conduct! In fact, here is the path that person would follow daily … “This is the DAY which the LORD hath made; we WILL REJOICE and BE GLAD in it.” Psalm 118:24
Wow!
Big difference!
All depending on one’s being “right” with God.
Advice for this Saturday morning in April … ENJOY every minute God gives you today.
As the hours go by … remember what Moses said back in Psalm 90:12. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Moses “prayed” these words, really.
Don’t rush your life away.
Savor every second.
Not only is ETERNAL LIFE a Gift from God.
So is daily mundane life …
This too, Psalm 31:15, another prayer to God … “My times are in Thy Hand.”
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
I only received one Text of encouragement yesterday! It was precious, though! Yes, you all have me spoiled! Has this Lesson spoken to anyone’s heart? If so, you know what to do … 770-844-7627. Thanks!
By the way, Deuteronomy 28 (which we have now studied the last three mornings) is the longest chapter in the whole Book. With Deuteronomy having 34 chapters, a total of 959 verses.