LEARNING DAILY

Job 9:25-26, Now my days are swifter than a runner, they flee away, they see no good. They pass by like swift ships, like an eagle swooping on its prey.

We talk about time often around our house (at least I do). It seems like I just married my wife but that was many years ago. Our daughters have grown up, married and have created lives for themselves. And our grandchildren are grown up as well. It seems like the grandkids and I just put a tarp in the bed of the pickup so we could fill it with water to make our own swimming pool.

Pastor Matt Martin spoke at NorthRock Church this past weekend saying, “Our days are numbered; we only have so much time to make a difference”. Granddaughter Audrey wrote in her notes (She sends me her sermon notes each week!) “If we understood the concept of time, we would not waste our time”.  Matthew Henry wrote in his Commentary, “What little need have we of pastimes, when it runs so fast toward eternity!” I bring up the obvious when I write that every person’s time on this earth is short! How each person spends or uses that time is important.

We all know people that spend their time in quest for more – more money, more things, greater prestige through position. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 6:2, “A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is evil affliction.” A person striving for great wealth may get it but may never have the chance to enjoy it; all that is achieved goes to another when one dies. Filling one’s time with this pursuit and having another enjoy it seems to be a waste of time and even a tragedy.

The message given by Pastor Martin suggested that a person – especially a Believer – must never neglect their spiritual life. A Believer must not neglect their relationship with God in pursuit of other things. When true trials and trouble comes, it is not wealth nor position that will give comfort nor even give aid to overcome them. But the time spent cultivating one’s spiritual life, their relationship with the Lord will give real comfort and support during the trial.

 We have all made decisions and promises during times of emotional stress and trouble. Over time those decisions are forgotten because emotions created feelings that led to decisions that were not based on a Biblical worldview (From the message at Community Bible Church). No time had been spent developing a relationship with the Lord. Little, if any time, was spent considering the words of the Lord, trying to understand them to the best of their ability and no time was spent trying to live by them. Therefore, when the storms came, the trials came, and the winds blew, there was no strong foundation to stand on.

As believers, we must spend time developing our relationship with the Lord. We must walk the narrow way He leads us on. When we stumble or fall, get back up and continue to work on that relationship. Your days are numbered; you have only so much time to develop your relationship with the Lord and make a difference for those around you. This message was a great reminder to place your emphasis on the things that really matter for you and those around you! Never underestimate the importance and value of spending the time you have on building your life upon the Rock of Jesus Christ.