Ecclesiastes 3:1-6 – To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; … a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; … a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away. (NKJV)

There is an appointed time for everything!

The word "time" appears 28 times in the book of Ecclesiastes and over 600 times in the Bible as a whole.

I have always been fascinated by all kinds of old manual pendulum wall clocks, which have been around since 1675. When I was younger, I enjoyed repairing and adjusting these clocks. Now, for me, even moving the bob up and down on the pendulum rod takes painful patience and dexterity to adjust the time to the exact second.

What makes a clock "tick" and "tock"? Most pendulum clocks have a time regulator that uses an escapement. The escapement makes the particular "tick-tock" noises, with the "tick" as the pendulum swings to one side, and then the "tock" as it releases on the other side of the swing. If one listens carefully, there is a definite difference in the sounds of the tick and the tock. The tick is sharp and quick, while the tock is dull and a little hesitant.

Why do I say all this? Because in reality the only time that we have to get ready for eternity is between the tick and the tock, which is one second.

2 Corinthians 6:2 – 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. (NKJV)

The word "now" is used twice in this verse for a reason: the day of salvation should be now, today. It cannot be put off for tomorrow because tomorrow may be too late. The time to be saved is now.

You may be listening to your pendulum clock ticking away the seconds right now. It may be a reminder that the time has come to ask for forgiveness and accept the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart. May God bless you as you pray this prayer!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, for too long I've have wanted to be saved. I know that I am a sinner and I need You now more than ever. I hear my clock ticking away the seconds all too quickly. By faith, I am now ready to trust You as my Lord and Saviour, and I receive Your gift of salvation. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank You for forgiving me and for the gift of eternal life. Thank You for coming into my heart, Lord Jesus, as I trust You to be my Saviour. Amen.

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About the author:

Stephen French <sfrench3@telus.net>
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
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