KNOWING THE TIME

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 28

Romans 13:11

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high

time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation

nearer than when we believed.

 
We cannot know the future, but we may know the present time.
 
Indeed, we ought to know it.
 
What is its character?
 
It is the time of Satan's power, he is active, energetic,

 and determined.
 
It is the time of the world’s danger; it is asleep,

   or deluded,

      or enraged against the cause of God.
 
It is the time of God’s forbearance, —justice now waits, 

  grace sits enthroned, 

    mercy kindly wants, and 

      it is called the accepted time,

         the day of salvation.
 
It is the time of the Church’s duty—for it is working time,

    it is evening time, and therefore precious time.
 
It is a singular time—we have such facilities for doing good, 

  so many calls to action, so many encouragements to preserve, 

   and our responsibility is so deep and solemn.
 
Let us therefore know the time.
 
We may learn its character, 

   partly from God’s word, 

     and partly from observation.
 
Let us improve our knowledge and turn it to account 

   by stirring up others who are drowsy, and embracing 

       every opportunity of doing good ourselves.
 
Let us employ every talent and improve every opportunity to the utmost.
 
We should be wakeful, watchful, laborious, liberal.
 

Divine Instructor! grace bestow,

Teach me the present time to know;

Help me each talent to improve,

And serve my God in faith and love.

 
James Smith