Today’s 333 Devotional: “The Hour is Close”

This Wednesday is the start of the New Year, and the question becomes, “What will we do with it?” Will we make better use of our time this year as opposed to last year? Will 2023 be a year of joy or regret, a year of great expectation or unimaginable dread?

To make the most out of the coming year, the Apostle Paul gives us some really good advice.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:15-18)

The Apostle Paul begins by telling us to be careful, because the days ahead are filled with evil.

King David was more succinct saying, “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.” (Psalm 39:4)

David was asking for wisdom because our time on earth is limited.

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientist from the University of Chicago has what is known as “The Doomsday Clock.” It’s a symbolic clock showing how close we are to global disaster. The most recent setting is January 2024, where it was 90 seconds to midnight. It’s inching closer and it’s closer than it’s been.

A little bit more to the morbid, the Internet has “The Death Clock.” Once you enter in some statistics it tells you when you will die and then starts ticking off the seconds. (It says I only have 2 years)

The only problem with all of these is that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. So how are we to live our lives right now?

The Apostle Paul tells us three things.

1) Make the most of every opportunity.

2) Understand the Lord’s will for your life.

3) Be filled with the Holy Spirit.