Memorize: "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling?" (Job 7:1)

Bible Reading: Eccl. 3:1-2

Bible in a year plan: Mal 3-4

Content:

In Genesis 29:15-35, we read that in desiring Rachel, Jacob first served Laban for seven years. And then another seven years. One lesson here is that whether you have a goal or not, time flies. I have been in full time ministry for over 20 years now but it looks like yesterday. Some people do not want to accept that they are getting older. In fact, they will be pleased to hear, ‘You are looking younger'.Some dread the reality of fleeting time to the extent that they do not want to be reminded of their age. Believe it or not, accept it or not, every second that passes,draws you closer to the grave. Whether you have set goals for yourself or not, the spirit of death is anxiously looking forward to its appointment with you (Heb.9:27). It does not care whether you have achieved your goal or not. Ecclesiastes 3:2 says there is a time to be born and a time to die. The day you were born, you began a trip to the grave. This is a journey you have to make willingly or unwillingly. Every passing second draws you closer to that destination. Every time someone celebrates a birthday, the fellow draws closer to the grave. Hence,birthdays should not be for partying alone but for sober reflection. Ask yourself:‘Another year has just gone drawing me closer to my appointment with death.How did I move closer to accomplishing my goal? With this new year I am starting today, what can I do to reach my goal?'

"Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling?" (Job 7:1). Everyone is expected to accomplish the various tasks, assignments and goals within an appointed time. A growing child,has about six years to go through secondary school. If he stays there for 10 years,you will still graduate but you would have lost substantial time that could have be used to settle another appointment with university education. If after years of divine investments, you are still laying hands to heal only headaches and you are celebrating this, when Heaven expects you to be able to heal cancer and HIV/AIDs, you have lost time and should be mourning. If at the time you should be able to tarry in God's presence and pray for five hours at a stretch, you are celebrating your ability to pray for 30 minutes, you have lost time. Have you recorded a commensurate growth that corresponds with your spiritual age? Ask God to help you today.


Action Point: That problem that appears deaf has ears to listen to the appropriate voice. Speak to it today.

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)