Precious Time

There’s nothing that motivates a child to obey their parents, complete their chores and homework without being asked, or to share generously with their friends and siblings, like the truth that their birthday or a big event such as Christmas is just around the corner. Then the need to heed instruction and adjust attitudes and behaviours becomes a big priority.

Despite our constant fighting, I can clearly remember my brother and I entering into an unspoken truce, doing our best to become obedient kind children for about two months before any significant event, so we wouldn’t compromise potential presents. I think we can all relate to that kind of childish behaviour, and yet there is something about a great reward which motivates us and gets our attention, even as adults.

As you read Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses, it becomes clear that this is a man who knows God in a personal way, reveres His great power and yet is not afraid to ask for help, wisdom and favour. It’s important to note however, that Moses was not just praying for himself in this Psalm. Led by the Holy Spirit, he was praying on behalf of his people, the nation of Israel whom God had set apart for Himself. This is an example of the Hebraic way of thinking and praying. It always has a corporate undertone.

And right now, in the same way, believers all around the globe are gathering corporately to pray fervently for the lost, for mercy for our world and for the Church as a whole, with what seems like an increased urgency.

All the presents that my brother and I coveted and received were temporary and therefore the changes that we implemented were also temporary. They did not have eternal value. Christmases, holidays and birthdays came and went, and so did our behaviour.

Jesus addressed the deception of greed for material possessions in Luke 12. He taught a parable about a rich fool who did not recognize the source of his blessings and therefore laboured in vain, focussing only on his own pleasure (Luke 12:13-21). Had this rich man learned to pray and ask God for a right perspective of his life, his labour would have held great eternal value instead of being a futile waste.

Praying for God to teach us as His Church to correctly number our days, according to His time clock, will enable us to tap into, obtain and grow in God’s wisdom, individually and corporately, propelling us toward maturity and complete unity in Christ. What a privilege!

The gift of time is truly a gracious allowance from our Father, enabling us to look back, learn and turn from our childish ways. God Himself, is our very great reward (Genesis 15:1), a Kingdom truth so profound, that when deeply understood and received, will expose false worldly pleasures for exactly what they are; shiny imitations meant to distract us from our true reward and destiny in Christ.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for precious time. We ask You today to open our eyes and ears to discern Your instructions in the midst of these days and cause us to come into Your reality, so that godly wisdom will be our gain. As Moses prayed, Father, may Your favour rest upon us, and may You establish the work of our hands for us (Psalm 90:17). In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.