Pastor's Ponderings, November 14, 2016

God Wants To Bless You Right Now

In William Shakespeare’s play, “Julius Caesar”, the character Brutus declares, “There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.” Julius Caesar Act 4, scene 3, 218–224.  In other words now is the time for action. We must not wait until we feel better, the stars get aligned or until the cows come home. 

Our God is a right now God.   He says that right now is the time of His favor and His salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).  We cannot procrastinate obeying Him and hope things will work out in the future.  God wants us to hear His voice now and not ignore Him for a more convenient time when we decide to make room for Him (Hebrews 3:15). He wants us to have faith in Him right now and do what He wants us to do while we have the opportunity (John 9:4). 

Perhaps we had faith in the past and perhaps we will have it in the future, but the Bible says that now faith is so important to Him (Hebrews 11:1).  God is an on time God, but when we miss our opportunity to do His will it could be disastrous. The children of Israel found this out when they did not realize when He was visiting them to pardon them (Luke 1:68).  Sadly, Josephus, the historian, writes Jerusalem was laid to the ground by their enemy (Luke 19:44).

What has God told you to do right now?  Not tomorrow or next week, but what does He want you to do now? He wants to bless us, but He will not operate in our behalf unless we cooperate.  We can ride God’s tide and receive our fortune or we can meander hopelessly having missed our current God-given opportunities.  Thank God for the sweet by and by, but now when He gives us direction, let us obey Him swiftly and we will be blessed.

2 Corinthians 6:2
New International Version (NIV)

2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Hebrews 3:15
New International Version (NIV)

15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

John 9:4
New International Version (NIV)

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work

Hebrews 11:1
New International Version (NIV)

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Luke 1:68

New International Version (NIV)

68 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

Luke 19:44
New International Version (NIV)

44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”