December 16, 2019 - WHAT TIME IS IT?

Day 350 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 14:1-11; Psalm 137; 2 Corinthians 5:6-13)

“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 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 Corinthians 6:1-2 ESV) 

What time is it? When some of us were kids, we sang along with that black and white TV show. It’s Howdy Doody time... But it sure isn’t Howdy Doody time any more! That show has been off the air for decades.

Paul is encouraging his hearers to realize what time it is. It is time to trust in Jesus. 

“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

He is encouraging you to take seriously God’s call to repent and trust in Jesus’ death as payment for your sins. It is an urgent call. Since none of us knows if we will see tomorrow, today is the day to listen, believe, repent and be saved!

This hymn is calling us to remember what time it is:

Delay not, delay not, O sinner, draw near.
The waters of life are now flowing for you.
No price is demanded, the Savior is here,
Redemption is purchased, God’s promise is true. 

Delay not, delay not, O sinner, to come;
For mercy still lingers and calls you today.
Its voice is not heard in the vale of the tomb;
Its message, unheeded, will soon pass away. 

Delay not, delay not! Why longer abuse
The love and compassion of Jesus, your God?
A fountain is opened; how can you refuse
To wash and be cleansed in his pardoning blood? 
(Delay Not, Delay Not, o Sinner, Draw Near, Lutheran Worship, CPH, 1982  #349 stanzas 1,2,5)

Heavenly Father, thank You for warning me to repent today and trust in Jesus before it is too late. Please use me to share this message with others. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!