The appointed time is short!
Scripture reading for August 9th: 1st Corinthians 7, Psalm 8, Proverbs 3
1st Corinthians 7: 25-31 “Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.”
Paul, out of love and concern for the believers, writes to them with compassion from the sincerity of his heart. He honestly believes that the time of Christ’s promised return is very near. The circumstances of the culture of his time were very like those of the day we live in. Marriage was lawful and proper between believers. Yet, in tough times, the unmarried can devote more fully to serving the Lord and spare themselves some trouble and heartache. Believers must maintain a very loose grip on the world and its goods and attractions. All of life and our possessions are temporary. The world in its present form is indeed passing away, and the time is short! God’s love is eternal and He alone is worth worshipping!
Psalm 8:1-2 “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, You have established strength because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.”
Prayer: Father God, Your Name is majestic, holy and above all that this earth and world has to offer! We honor You and praise You alone. Help me today to hold this world’s goods with an open hand and keep me from idolatry in relationships, placing You first in everything! Thank You for these instructions from Your Word and Your Father’s love and discipline. May I delight You in my journey to Your eternal house!
Proverbs 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him who He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
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