Wow! We have all had a couple of crazy weeks, haven’t we? I have been practicing my social distancing today. I hope you have, too. Actually, I've been thinking about writing this blog for days, something I haven’t done in a while, simply because I haven’t had a lot of time to focus on that, but today I want to tell you what’s on my mind.
In my daily devotional time this week, I have been in 2 Corinthians. Today, as I was studying chapter six some things really stood out to me, things that I believe relate to where we are living and walking right now.
We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)
I want to take a moment and talk to you about time; specifically, the time that we're in right now. The word “time” in these verses is the word Kairos. Many of you are familiar with the word Kairos. Kairos time is a set time or proper time. It’s a due season. Kairos time is a right time and an opportune time. But this word time (Kairos) in the original Greek language also speaks to what time itself brings as in “the events of time”. According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions, this word also translates like this: a time when things are brought to a crisis. Isn’t that interesting? A time when things are brought to a crisis.
That’s all we are seeing and hearing around the clock right now; this present COVID-19 virus crisis! For some, it’s created some fear. For others, it’s created a good bit of anxiety, and for most of us at least a bit of real concern. Prayer is being offered up around the world right now, even by those who aren’t particularly religious. And I want you to know that your prayers are being heard. You can be sure of that!
In verse 2 The Lord says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you.” An acceptable time? What does that mean? It means an approved time. Wow! An approved time. It’s funny how over the last few weeks we have waited for our government to get their act together, get on the same page and approve this bill for the stimulus package. We waited. We wondered if it was ever going to happen. We may have even doubted for a moment. How many of you know that the government is not our source? The government is not our answer.
I don’t know about you but I’m glad that WITH GOD we don’t have to wait. We don’t have to wonder. We don’t have to doubt. OUR GOD stands ready to hear, to come to our aid, and to rescue us. Our God stands ready to forgive us, to save us, to heal us, to deliver us and set us free. Our God stands ready to bring great peace and assurance, and to bless us, even in the midst of this crisis. And that’s good news!
In verse 2 He says, “Behold, now is the accepted time.” When? - Right now! He says, “Behold...” in fact He says it twice. ”Behold, I have heard you. Behold, today is the day of salvation.” Behold simply means to look at or pay close attention to. There are DEFINITELY some things that we should be paying close attention to right now. We really need to be recognizing the time and season we are in as a nation and that we are in as individuals.
This past week one of my sons called me and he was like, “Mom, did you hear this and have you seen that, and are you reading this?” What was he referring to? The signs of the time. After all, it has only been a handful of weeks since we watched a tornado rip through Nashville, Tennessee. A little over a week ago a major earthquake happened in Russia, tsunami warnings went out to Hawaii, a plague of locusts descended upon east Africa by the hundreds of millions just ravaging and laying waste to their crops and livelihood. Let’s not forget the wildfires and severe drought that took place in Australia. You may or may not have heard that a category 5 cyclone hit the Pacific Islands this week, knocking out all their communication. And of course, this pandemic and the fear and anxiety that it’s inducing. Surely, these are signs, folks. And you might be in the group of people who would say that we've had earthquakes, plagues, catastrophes, and viruses before, and we have, but when all these things are happening simultaneously around the world, you pay attention.
That is exactly what was happening! It had my son’s attention and he was saying to me, “Mom, what about all of this? What about the talk of a one-world currency,” and on and on… He was saying, “Mom, this is Bible prophecy of the end times getting nearer and nearer." He wasn’t saying this in an alarmed way, but he was simply recognizing the signs of the times.
You’ve read the scriptures. At least I hope you have. What are some of the signs? You can find them in Matthew 24:7 and Luke 21:11 for starters; "There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.; and fearful sights.” Oh, you have seen some fearful sights if you've been watching the news at all. Signs.
He was recognizing the times and the season we are in right now and commenting about the Lord’s return drawing nearer, and then he made this statement. He said, “I’m not ready.” I asked him, “What do you mean you’re not ready?” He said, "I am ready as far as my salvation and my relationship with the Lord is concerned, but I'm not ready as far as there being so many things that I still want to do in my life, like having a family one day and watching my kids grow up, along with so many other things I still want to accomplish." And while I understood exactly what he was trying to say as he is at a time in his life when he is just beginning to really live his life, at the same time I was so thankful! I was thankful that he's born again. I was thankful that he is sure of his salvation, and that he knows where he will spend eternity.
The truth is, I don’t believe this is the end of the world. I do not think this is the apocalypse. I do, indeed, believe we are seeing the signs of the Lord’s return coming nearer and nearer though. These things that we are seeing are events. We are in a Kairos moment of time when things have been brought to a crisis. However, we don’t have to react in fear. Instead, we must respond to the season of opportunity. What do I mean by that? Kairos; an opportune time. “Behold now is the day of salvation.”
We will get through this pandemic. We will get through this set back in our economy and in our personal lives. We’ll get through the stress, pressure, and the weightiness of it all. But the bigger picture beyond this immediate present crisis are these questions and they are one and the same:
Are you ready spiritually? Do you have a relationship with the Lord? Have you been born again? If Jesus stepped out of heaven right now and returned to take his people home, do you know where you would spend eternity?
What better time than now to give your life to the Lord. Even as we get ready to celebrate the Easter season, what better time than now to respond.
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Why don’t you take a minute right now to pray this prayer with me today:
Lord, Jesus, I recognize the signs. You’ve got my attention. I need you Lord and I want to be sure of my salvation. I repent of my sin. Lord, forgive me, wash me, cleanse me, come into my heart. Come into my life. As I get ready to celebrate the Easter season, Lord, I remember what you have done for me. You died on that cross for my sins. You were buried and raised on the third day. I believe that and confess it with my mouth. I surrender my life to You, Lord. I give it to you today completely and totally; one hundred percent. Thank you, Lord, for your gift of salvation. I receive it now, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
I hope you prayed that prayer with me today. And if you prayed that prayer for the very first time and you meant it, leave me a comment and tell me so below so I can continue praying for you.
Have a great week, folks. And God bless you.
Jennifer Rash
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