We live in momentous days, “the last days,” when, as Scripture predicts, “perilous times shall come,” days when we see “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Therefore, “because the days are evil” and because “evil men and seducers ... wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived,” we who know the Lord are to be “redeeming the time,” that is, “buying up the opportunities.” Day by day, God gives us such opportunities and tells us that “as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” There are times of which it may be said that “ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.” But how much more often is it true that we let opportunities slip away, without redeeming them. God in grace may give other opportunities, but the lost ones can never be recovered. May we be diligent to be “always in remembrance of these things,” that we may “know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary,” and “to warn the wicked from his way,” “to walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
A word of warning, a word of cheer,
As we walk life’s pathway each day,
A word from the Word, with God’s own power,
That will encourage and show the way.
2 Tim. 3:1; Luke 21:26; 2 Tim. 3:13; Gal. 6:10; Phil. 4:10; 2 Peter 1:12; Isa. 50:4; Ezek. 33:8; Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:17.