In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2, NKJV)
I once read a fable of three apprentice devils who were being sent to earth to finish their apprenticeship. Each explained his tactic to Satan on how he planned to tempt and ruin humanity. The first said, “I will tell them there is no God.” But Satan replied, “That won’t delude many. They know there is a God.” The second one said, “I will tell them there is no hell.” But again Satan countered, “You won’t deceive many that way. They know there is a hell for sin.” The third devil said, “I will tell them there is no hurry.” “Go,” Satan said, “and you will ruin people by the thousands.”
Although the above is just a fable, it holds real meaning. We have all the time in the world. Or so Satan would have us believe. He delights in convincing us there is no need to rush. Enjoy life now. Live for God later. But James 4:14 cautions us:
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (ESV).
Time is a precious commodity. We all receive the same amount each day: 24 hours—1,440 minutes—86,400 seconds. Like money in the bank, some spend time wisely; others do not. Many of us are procrastinators. I know I have a long list of things I should accomplish but keep putting off for another day. Soon I will clean out my closet, shred old papers, reorganize my pantry.
Whether I organize my pantry today or next month is of little lasting importance. Life will go on much the same if it’s messy or in order. The same cannot be said about things eternal. Procrastination is our enemy when it comes to the things of God.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m still young. I’ll think about serving God after I’ve . . . (had a good time, finished my education, advanced in my career).” Or perhaps they say, “I’m too busy caring for my family. I’ll do more for God when the kids are older.” In their mind, these are valid reasons. They think there will be plenty of time later to care for their soul. Actually, they have bought into the “no need to rush” tactic of Satan.
In Luke 12:16-21 Jesus tells the parable of a rich man whose barns overflowed with the abundance of his crops. The man decided to build even bigger barns to accommodate more. He planned on many more tomorrows to expand his riches and enjoy all he had accomplished. “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” (verse 20, NKJV). Tomorrow would never come for him.
It has been said, “The most dangerous of all delusions is that there is plenty of time.” We cannot plan on an infinite number of tomorrows. Serve God today. Pray today. Tell someone about Jesus today. Don’t procrastinate. Whatever you hope to do for God, do it now.
“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Luke 12:40, NLT)
Lord, help me to be aware of Satan’s tactics. Remind me daily to accomplish all I can for You today because tomorrow is uncertain. I do not know the day or hour of Your coming so I must be ready at all times.
Comments are closed.