My days are swifter than a weavers shuttle.
JOB 7:6
Life is swift and short. Even if we live to what is generally called a ripe old age, it is soon cut off, and we fly away (Psa. 90:10). The Scriptures compare our life to a vapour, that . . . vanisheth away (James 4:14), to a watch in the night, and to a tale that is told (Psa. 90: 4, 9).
Thus our time on earth is precious. For our souls it is the valley of decision, the vestibule to eternity. Only in this life do sinners have the opportunity to repent and receive Christ. Only in this life can Christians stand for God, spread the gospel, and lay up treasure in heaven. That is why Paul urges us to redeem the time (Eph. 5:16) and exhorts us to holiness: The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness (Rom. 13:12).
Soon we will all be in a world where time will be no more. Someone has described eternity as being like God winding up a giant clock and setting the pendulum in motion. As it swings from side to side, its solemn ticking seems to say, For ever and ever, for ever and ever, for ever and ever. For every soul who grasps the brief opportunity life affords to get right with God by faith in Christ, eternity holds the prospect of glory for ever and ever. For every unbelieving, impenitent sinner it holds the prospect of woe for ever and ever.
At the beginning of another year, when our minds naturally turn to the passage of time and to our prospects for the future, let us think long and hard on these things. We now have time and opportunity to embrace the gospel and then to spread it. But it is a fleeting opportunity. Let us grasp it in the light of eternity.
Let the year be given to God in its every moment!
G. Campbell Morgan
