Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Hebrews 4:6,7
My mom and dad weren’t well educated. That is, unless you count the advanced degrees that they earned by being first generation immigrants. Living through the Great Depression. Doing their part and service throughout World War 2. What they lacked in formal education they more than made up for with grit, hard work, and determination.
Without much formal education, they weren’t exposed to most of what we think is an absolute necessity in life. While we had a radio and television, we never had a phonograph because you had to buy records to use it. We went to the zoo and the Smithsonian for free, but we never went to a concert.
I mention these things is because I’m very thankful to my parents for how they raised my brother and I. Maybe we didn’t have lots of stuff, and maybe we didn’t have lots of culture, but we did absolutely have other, more important things. We were taught some truths that served us well all our lives.
And one of those truths was not to wait around to do something. If we had to do something, there would be no better time than the present. Why wait while we could get it done right now.
It was drummed into our brain and heart to do it today. No matter what it was, whatever had to be done, don’t wait to do it later. Get up and do it now. While this was WAY before Nike and their Just Do It™ campaign, this idea that there was no time like the present to do whatever had to be done.
The Hebrews were being reminded of the very same thing. The writer points them back to what one of their great heroes wrote. In Psalm 95, David is telling his people about who God is and how great he is. How he made everyone and everything. And because of this, we’re to respond to God in a certain way.
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Psalm 95:6,7a
Worshiping God is always at the very top of every list. It’s all about who we were made by. Who we were made for. We are never doing anything more important than when we worship. He is our loving shepherd and we’re under his beloved care and watchful eye.
Now David doesn’t stop there. As God people who are under his care, we have a decision to make. We have a choice about who we are and what to do about it. Yes, we have information and memories about who God is and all he’s done. There’s no doubt about the fact that we’ve lived through his provision. His miracles. His kindness. His loving care.
This is why David asks the question; when we’re going to start responding to God in the way that he deserves? When are we going to worship him for who he is and all he’s done? David himself gives us the right answer.
Today, if only you would hear his voice
Psalm 95:7b
The correct time is today. Or, to put it like my parents told us, stop what you’re doing and go do it right now. There’s no better time than the present to turn towards God. To ask forgiveness for all we’ve done or failed to do. To turn towards the one who loves us. Made us. Died for us. Is coming again for us.
And why should God forgive us? Is it because of something we’ve done to earn God’s forgiveness? Was there some sacrifice that we could do to pay off our debt to God? Is there anything that we can do to get God’s attention? To impress him? To get him to do something we deserve.
The short answer is ain’t no way. No matter what we try to do, we’ll mess it up. Anything we try to do will always wind up being a mess; filthy and smelly to God[1]. We’ll always come up short[2].
You see, there’s no better time to turn to God. It’s time to run towards him. This is the time of God’s favor. Today is the day of salvation[3]. There’s no better time like the present. After all, since there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love and affection, why not come to him today.
Like the old hymn says, Jesus is tenderly calling today. What in the world could be so important to stop us from coming to him today? I’ll tell you what is – absolutely nothing. So come today to the one who loves you.
Noodling Questions
Why is the idea of “today” so important?
What’s God’s plan for you and your “today?”
How can we better cooperate with God and the “today” he’s given us?
[1] Isaiah 64:6
[2] Romans 3:23
[3] 2 Corinthians 6”1
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