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Time—Its Value

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 30, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 7.

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Time—Its Value.

By A. S. Hutchins

“So TEACH us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Ps. 90: 12. Actuated by the spirit which indited this petition, no moment can hang heavily upon the hands of the earnest Christian. He sees too much to do in the cause of his heavenly Master for fast-flying moments to be a burden. He would number them all in the application of his heart unto wisdom, which is profitable to direct.
A great work lies before the servant of God. A heavenly race is to be run. A battle is to be fought with the powers of darkness. A mighty foe is to be vanquished. A victory is to be gained. A crown is to be won. He has a soul to save, and a work, to win others to Christ. Time is only just long enough to finish this work and get ready to hear the Master say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Has such an one time, precious, priceless moments, to spend to no account? No; in view of his great and important work, and the rapidity with which he is borne on to its conclusion, life seems as an “hand-breadth,” as a “vapor,” as a “dream,” or a “flower,” that is quickly cut down.
Says Peter, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” Dear brethren, we are only sojourners here. We are passing away, passing away. The King of glory is quickly coming. Oh! shall we be ready? “Let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober, ‘redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’”
When we have failed to use our time to the glory of God, may we all awake. Awake at once. Awake to righteousness. Awake to the wants of the cause we love. Awake to the Master's call. Awake and stand at our post.
“O Thou, who in the garden’s shade, Didst wake thy weary ones again, Who slumbered at that fearful hour, Forgetful of thy pain, Bend o’er us now, as over them, And set our sleep-bound spirits free; Nor leave us slumbering in the watch Our souls should keep with thee!” A. S. HUTCHINS.