Friday, December 16, 2022 - WHAT TIME IS IT?

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

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

WHAT TIME IS IT?

“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