Not at any time, not a future time, but to-day. Not after Satan has had time again to ply his arts on you, not after you have again tried the world, not after conviction has been once more dulled, and deadened, and stifled by business, by pleasure, by care, but now, to-day, while the words of God are ringing in your ears.
To-day—while the great sacrifice of Christ is within view; while Christ still waits at the right hand to “make intercession for all who come unto God by him.” To-day, to-day—while you feel your need, while you still are sensible of your own inability to be your own saviour; to-day, while the Holy Spirit still strives.
“Hear His voice!”—the voice that says, “Come let us reason together”—the voice that says, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink”—the voice that says, “Look unto me, and be saved”—the voice that says, “I am the bread of life”—“I am the light of the world”—“Come unto me, and I will give you rest.”
Oh! that you would hear! grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. “Harden not your heart” as Pharaoh did—as Israel did in the provocation in the wilderness. Sin is secretly gnawing the vitals of your soul. Repentance for sin is a duty now; forsaking sin is a duty, and a duty to-day. Pardon is ready to-day; for the fountain is full to the brim. Purification is ready to-day; for the Holy Spirit is in the gift of Jesus. “Harden not your heart.”
Remember, He who says, “to-day,” limiteth the time—draws round you a circle, as the Roman Ambassador did to the King, saying, “Decide for peace or war, ere you pass from this spot.” He limited a certain time; and the word “to-day” points out how far the circle extends. Long suffering has an end, even the long-suffering of God. Oh! then, “If ye will hear His voice!” It is not man, but the Holy Ghost that so speaketh.243
To-morrow is not as this day; to-day the Holy Ghost says, “Hear His voice,” and shows us God in Christ inviting, calling, urging sinners, imploring them, beseeching them. As to-morrow, the Holy Ghost shows us God, as Judge shutting the door; setting the flaming sword at the gate of Paradise, declaring, with uplifted hand, “They shall not enter into my rest.”