LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Redeeming Time
We are often surprised at how quickly time passes. Many times, at the end of the day, we realize that there are still so many things to do. This does not seem to be something new. Moses, a man of God, already of advanced age, cried out to the Lord: "Teach us in such a way to number our days, that we may bring wisdom to our hearts" (Ps. 90:12).
In the Old Testament, episodes in the life of Israel are recorded in which the Lord did not count time. When the people did not serve God, their days were not counted; it was wasted time. This teaches us that there are days of our life that are not counted by God.
The life of the unbeliever is spiritually barren; what's more, none of his days count for God. Before we converted to Christ, no day of our lives counted for God. We were dead in trespasses and sins; there was nothing noteworthy in them.
Today, some of us have five, ten, twenty or maybe more years in the ways of the Lord. However, how much of that time actually counts before God? From our history, the days in which we have not lived in his presence are discarded. If we examine it carefully, we will see that there are many barren days: days when we are busy with our affairs, days when our hearts have been cold, indifferent, and faith has faded, due to disobedience or sin.
Surely, there are many fruitless days, in which we have not glorified God, of which we must repent. However, when the Spirit brings this light to our hearts, a word of consolation also comes. Says the Lord: "Return to me with all your hearts... and I will restore to you the years that the caterpillar, the hopper, the wolverine, and the locust have eaten" (Joel 2:12, 25).
When the people of Israel forgot God, the fields were ravaged by locusts. Likewise today, turning away from the Lord brings us ruin. But he wants to help us, he wants us – like Paul – to complete our race with joy, that all our days be counted positively.
Locusts represent everything that destroys the fruit of our fellowship with God. What is it that is decimating your crop? Surely, running from here to there, wasting our time in profitless pursuits, is an important factor in the deterioration of our spiritual life.
John the Baptist was a Nazarite, a man absolutely consecrated to God. When reading about his life, we find a very curious fact: he ate locusts. This singular fact gives us an example. God's abundant grace makes us wise to number our days and to put an end to everything that threatens our harvest. God's promises are faithful and true. If we turn to him, he will make all things new for us. Lost time will be restored and counted in our favor.