March 12
Redeeming the Time
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil”
Ephesians 5: 15-16.
(Note: This is a reading from my latest forthcoming volume Daily Readings. It is a devotional from Christian Focus Press, Due out the Fall of 2024).
Another thing to be considered in the words of the apostle when he said, “I am now ready,” doth signify that now he had done that work that God had appointed him to do in the world. “I am now ready” because I have done my work. This is further manifest by the following words of the text: “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” Namely my time to depart this world. The words also that follow are much to the purpose, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.” This is much like that of our Lord Jesus. “I have finished the work which thou gave me to do” (John 17:4). Now then put all these things together. Namely that I am to be offered a sacrifice and for this my enemies are ready; my heart is also ready. And because I have done my work, I am therefore every way ready. This is a frame and condition that deserved not only to stand in the Word of God for Paul’s everlasting praise, but to be a provoking argument to all that read or hear of it to follow the same steps. I shall therefore, to help it forward, according to grace received draw one conclusion from the words and speak a few words to it. The conclusion is this: That it is the duty and wisdom of those that fear God so to manage their time and work that he hath allotted unto them. That they may not have part of their work to do when they should be departing the world.