THE LORD SPOKE (July 27)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Job 14-16

Time! We all have exactly the same quantity. Rich or poor, you can’t buy any more. Not even Bill Gates can purchase more time. He can figure out ways to use it better but so can we.

Today’s texts have a lot to say about time:

• Job 14:5 - “Man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
• Job 14:6 - “put in his time”
• Job 14:13 - “set me a time”
• Job 15:7 - “brought forth before the hills” (= “as old as the hills”)
• Job 15:20 - “all his days...all the years stored up for him”
• Job 15:32 - “before his time”
• Job 16:22 - “Only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return.”

Minutes are a precious commodity. They are an asset that is deposited in our account every day. We must use them wisely. What we squander, we lose. Or worse. We can cast them onto the debit side and will have to make up for them later. In the end, we will give an accounting for all of them.

They are also like a coupon book. We can turn in a few and get a better deal. They can be invested wisely and bring rich dividends later. We can “redeem time” by filling it with good.

“Thank you Lord for giving me time to accomplish everything You intend for me to do. Help me to use it wisely and well. Help me, above all, to use it for You.”


New Testament: Hebrews 4

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:12-13)

What are the qualities that make for a good sword? It must have...

• good steel - so it won’t break easily under stress
• a sharp point - so it will penetrate the toughest skin
• a razor edge - so it will slice and divide asunder
• a solid grip - so you may hold on to it firmly

How is such a weapon rendered most effective?

• you must be thoroughly familiar with it (know how it works, know all its various parts well)
• you must be prepared to use it (a weapon can’t do it’s job without someone to wield it)
• you must use it properly (otherwise, it can be a danger both to you and to others)

How does the Bible stack up in this evaluation?

• it is “living” = able to produce life (regenerate)
• it is “active/powerful” = energetic (from energes), able to transform
• it is “sharp” = for defense and punishment
• it is “penetrating” = piercing (a bad attitude, a closed mind, a rebellious spirit, a lustful heart)
• it is “discerning” = dividing and judging (from kritikos) both thoughts (what) and intents (why)

How do you rate on weapon usage?

• are you thoroughly familiar with it?
• are you prepared to use it?
• do you use it properly?