now is the time
"I will heal you: in three days you shall go up to the Lord's temple; I will add fifteen years to your life." —Isaiah 38:5
God is the Lord of time. He can add to our time here on earth. He added fifteen years to Hezekiah's life. The Lord can even stop time, as He did for Joshua for a day (Jos 10:13). The Lord, of course, can multiply time, as He multiplied the loaves and the fish. Astoundingly, the Lord can put time in reverse, as when the sun went backwards as a sign to Hezekiah (Is 38:8).
The Lord has given us the precious gift of our lifetime on this earth. We have the opportunity to advance His kingdom on earth by using our time to the fullest for His service. We can do this by repentance, evangelization, growth in holiness, and intercession.
The Lord can add to, stop, multiply, or reverse time. However, we need not be too concerned about all this, for we live in the present moment, and our opportunity to serve Him is now. Make the most of this present opportunity to serve the Lord (see Eph 5:16). "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor 6:2)
Prayer: Father, may I use the time You have given me to love and serve You and all those You have placed in my life.
Promise: "The Son of Man is indeed Lord of the sabbath." —Mt 12:8
Praise: St. Apollinaris pled for religious freedom for Christians in the Second Century.
Reference: (To grow in holiness, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order, listen to or download any or all of the following CDs or DVDs on our website: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, CD 82-1, DVD 82, How to Pray the Bible, CD 82-3, DVD 82, How to Read the Bible, CD 46-3, DVD 46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, CD 79-1, DVD 79.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2018
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