“Remember how short my time is…” Psalm 89:47
Dear Ones:
Every life, with regard to time and resources, IS an opportunity. The great questions are: “How will this opportunity be used and lived, and what is the dominating, lasting motive, that shall govern how we use it?”
In the life of Abraham, God dealt with him in a very clear, and decisive manner. There was nothing that was obscure, or confusing. God’s words, the reflection of His will and ways, were very simple, yet profound. The repercussions of those words stretched forth from even before the “time” in which they were uttered by God, and their realization in eternity. Many of those words to Abraham spoke of an opportunity, one that was personal, but also concerned people, nations, and the history of the world. One such opportunity was given to the nation of Egypt.
The story of how God began dealing with Egypt came with the arrival of Joseph, the son of Jacob. By the working of God in his life, the testimony of the true and living God was revealed to Pharaoh, who came to know that Joseph was a Hebrew. He also saw the blessing of God upon Joseph, both in the interpretations of dreams that God gave to Pharaoh, and in their accomplishment. The testimony of God in and through His people, as they multiplied in Egypt, reached its Zenith at the end of four hundred years. God had told Abraham that his people would serve strangers in a land that was not theirs for that length of time. He then added concerning the reason: “…for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” (Gen. 15:16) God gave to Egypt a large window of opportunity to respond to His overtures for them to forsake their idolatry, and turn to Him. This they would not do, and judgement came, when there was no more room for receiving the revelation of God. Their window had closed.
When the Lord came and told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham began to intercede for those living there who were “righteous.” His concern was primarily for Lot and his family. God gave to these cities certain light, a knowledge of the truth of Him, through Lot and his family. The day that the angels of the Lord took Lot and his family by the hand and led them out of the cities before their destruction, was the end of their opportunity to respond to the overtures of God, that they should be saved.
A third Illustration of an opportunity wasted, is that of Jericho. Surrounded by the Israelites, the people of Jericho had heard how the Lord had dried up the Red Sea, and the Jordan river, and given victory over certain kings that opposed the people in their conquest of Canaan. In spite of the testimony of God to those in Jericho, there would be a single woman, Rahab, who would believe in God, and whose family would be saved from the destruction of the city. The people of Jericho had become so very set in their opposition against the God of the Hebrews, that there was NO more receptivity for light and truth. Their opportunity had ended, and destruction came.
What is the measure of the opportunity which God gives? It begins at the birth of every individual. The Psalmist brings the limit of our time on this earth to light by writing: “Remember how short my time is.” Time itself becomes one measure of our opportunity. That time may be short or long, but the primary issue is how do I use it, or redeem it? Secondly, the right use of the opportunity begins and ends with the true revelation of Christ to the heart and mind. It is only in our receptivity of the light of God, in Christ, that we begin to use well the opportunity at hand. Thirdly, the measure of the opportunity, with regard to usefulness, and fruitfulness, is the measure of one’s faith, believing God fully for it.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see Thy perspective of our true opportunity, and give us grace to respond well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad