Daily Devotions
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
Moses writes in Psalm 90, “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength” (verse 10). A proper question for Christians is: “What are we doing with our years?” A person attaining the age of 75, it has been estimated, will have spent 24 years in bed. This is necessary, since we need sleep and rest. More on the questionable side are the 13 years this person will have spent watching television, although some daytime recreation is necessary.
Does the Bible say anything about our use of time? In a general way, it tells us to be faithful stewards of all gifts God has entrusted to us, and time is certainly such a gift, along with our talents and treasures.
In writing to the Ephesians, Saint Paul urges his readers to live circumspectly and wisely, “making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:15). The Greek verb Saint Paul uses has agora (market place) in it, thereby implying a business transaction that can be translated as “buy from” or “redeem.” A purchase involves an exchange, usually money for a product needed. This idea is not foreign to the use of time. In appreciation for the time God has given us we render service to Him. We put time to good use when we give part of our day back to Him for worship services in church, for prayer and study of His Word at home, for work faithfully performed, for needed rest, for giving “our moments and our days” to share the Gospel with our neighbors—always for the reason given by the Apostle: “the days are evil,” and the days are short.
“Redeem” the time is a good term, fitting in with the overall “redemption” theme of the Gospel of Christ. Our Savior gave His time to redeem us; we are bought with a price. In gratitude we give Him back as much of our time as we can so that we might serve Him.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord God, for the time You have given me for living, working, serving, resting, and enjoying Your creation. Amen.
(Devotions from “With Jesus Every Day” copyright 1997, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)