*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?*
*Scripture Treasure.*
John 11:9 *Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
God has created time for you, but do you have the time?
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Jesus tells us that there are twelve hours of daylight in a day.
Jesus's word in John 11:9b tells us further that this time of daylight is the time we see clearly.
We can not stumble because by the light of this world, the sun, we can see clearly.
From Jesus’s words we can learn about time as follows.
First, time is an opportunity. It provides opportunities for occasion to make things possible
If Jesus tells us that we have twelve hours we could walk and not stumble, it tells us that we have time to get things done.
As time is available for us to do what we want to do, some people still do not have the time to attend to their routine or tasks. They allow the opportunity to slip past us. So though time is available, they do not have the time to do what they ought to do.
Second, time has a limit. Everyday's time has a limit.
He tells us that in life, just as His life while He was on the earth was marked by limits, He will not be limited by it to do what He must do.
Jesus is telling us that if we apportion our time well, we will give twelve hours to actualizing what we must do
Third, time has a structure.
There is a time to do what we must do and there is a time when all labor is rested for the rest of a full day.
Everyday has both the limited amount of opportunity during which the light lasts, stumbling will not occur, and the work can be done and the time stumbling must occur because there is no light to do the work!
Fourth, time is God's prescribed method and way of how life should be spent without stress.
While God wants us to be hardworking, He strongly warns us against over working or over hardworking.
In Prov 23:4, He does not want us to wear ourselves out trying to get rich. He wants us to be wise enough to know when to quit.
In Ps 127:2, He warns us about not getting enough sleep that He has freely given us because of we want to make ends meet.
He tells us that it is useless for anyone to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 103:14 tells us that God knows our frame and He remembers that we are dust.
So let us know that though the day and time have limits, we can manage it well. There is enough information to guide us that there are hours of work and hours when work ceases. A careful management will ensure nothing is left undone.
It is important to note that Jesus is not advocating against walking and/or working at night. He is only saying stumbling is more likely at this time.
He is saying in John 11:9 that though walking in the night is possible but stumbling is more likely.
In John 9:4, He may be refering to 'day' as His time to work before He goes to the cross. While His reference to 'night' may be His time of death and an end to His earthly ministry when He can no longer work. In reference to the children of men, He is admonishing us to work not to waste time but work at the appropriate time.
We can also find reference and expression to corroborate Jesus's reference to 'day' and 'night' in possible temporary sleep disorder due to working late at night as we observe when we find ourselves in multiple times zones that affect or distorts our sense of time.
While fatigue and difficulty concentrating are symptoms of night work so can they be for day work if adequate rest and time management are absent
In both illustrations however, the essence of time, the management of it and, its availability as a gift from God are applied in both walking and working with the time according to the words of Jesus in both John 9 and 11.
When you walk with the Lord, you will work with Him and when you work with the Lord, you will also walk with Him.
Do you have the time to walk and work with the Lord when it is day?
*Remorse corner.*
If Jesus could manage twelve hours of daylight out of a day, we can do so as well.
*Call to Word action.*
He said we can do even greater than He did.
John 14:12 *Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Plan your time judiciously. A proper time management is key to a well managed life.
*Prayer.*
Lord help me to manage my time effectively in the walks of life. More importantly, let me have the time to work and walk with the Lord when it is day, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
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