Redeeming the Time | The Institute for Creation Research

 
Redeeming the Time

Beginning a new year traditionally provides us with an opportunity to take stock of where we have been and where we wish to go. Most people make resolutions in the hope of improving their health, finances, or appearance, but all are made in an attempt to become "better people" in some way. As Christians, however, we know we are nothing outside of our Lord's saving grace, so our focus should be much different than that of the secular world. Whether or not you participate in making resolutions, consider the following truths that should motivate us all to seek a closer walk with our Creator this coming year.

Number Your Days

Psalm 90, the majestic prayer written by Moses toward the end of his life, contains a beautiful summary of God's power and provision for Israel throughout the ages. The overwhelming theme concerns the brevity of our lives, and the urgency to finish the work the Lord has given us. Moses wrote that "all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told |literally, a brief sigh|" (v. 9). And because life is so short, Moses asks the Lord to "teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (v. 12).

The word "teach" here literally means to acknowledge or recognize. And in order to do this, we first must know how many days have passed since birth, and then roughly estimate how many days may remain to us. Anticipating a normal lifespan of 70 to 80 years (v. 10), this exercise forces us to consider "the work of our hands" (v. 17) to determine if we have applied "our hearts unto wisdom" (v. 12). This New Year, take time to consider your "number of days" and how you can effectively use the remainder for His glory!

Walk Circumspectly

The great Apostle Paul, writing some 1,500 years after Moses, similarly counseled the Christians at Ephesus to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). The term "walk circumspectly" means to be diligently aware of potential consequences, and implies that we must have a firm understanding of biblical truths in order to distinguish foolishness from wisdom. The word "redeeming," as used in this context, literally means to rescue from loss. Therefore, by walking diligently with our Lord in wisdom, we are to "rescue from loss" the time He has allotted to each of us.

Poor health can sometimes be corrected, and lost money or possessions can often be regained. But time wasted is gone forever! This New Year, carefully consider how you can "redeem the time" to bring honor and glory to our Creator.

At ICR, we are committed to knowing, following, and teaching the truth of our Creator as expressed in His perfect Word. And as we enter another year, we are reminded of the brevity of our days, and earnestly seek to redeem the time until the Lord comes. Our agenda for 2008 is packed with new initiatives, and we pray that our Creator will provide the resources needed to see them to fruition. Won't you prayerfully consider how you can help?

* Mr. Morris is Director of Donor Relations.

Cite this article: Morris IV, H. 2008. Redeeming the Time. Acts & Facts. 37 (1): 17.

The Latest
NEWS
Make Plans to Attend Our Estate Planning Workshop at the Discovery...
Did you know that up to 75% of Americans over 18 have no retirement or estate plans? Don’t wait to prepare for the future. Join us on Saturday, October...

NEWS
Fossil Confusion in Ethiopia: Are Evolutionary Trees Built on...
A new study published in Nature describes the discovery of 13 fossilized teeth from the Ledi-Geraru site in Ethiopia. They have been dated to between...

NEWS
The Only Mesozoic Dragonfly in Canada—Is a Dragonfly
In 2023, an undergraduate student from McGill University discovered a new dragonfly species in Alberta, Canada. In fact, “This is the first ever...

CREATION PODCAST
Dr. Jake Hebert | Journey to ICR | The Creation Podcast: Episode...
ICR’s science staff have spent more than 50 years researching scientific evidence that refutes evolutionary philosophy...

NEWS
Oldest Evidence of Butterflies
Insects such as the ubiquitous butterfly belong to the huge phylum Arthropoda (creatures having paired, jointed appendages and a chitinous exoskeleton)....

NEWS
Another Big Mistake in Evolution
The strange and wonderful coelacanth1 has long been a challenge to evolutionists. The coelacanth has long been hailed as an ancestor...

ACTS & FACTS
ICR 2025 Resource Catalog
At the Institute for Creation Research, our mission is not only to conduct research demonstrating how science confirms Scripture but also to share this...

NEWS
Show Your Love for the ICR Discovery Center on North Texas Giving...
Thursday, September 18, is North Texas Giving Day! We invite you to join others in supporting ICR’s unique ministry as well as our creation museum...

NEWS
Living Gyroscope in Flies
The lowly fruit fly (Drosophila) is the research biologist’s friend in fields such as biomedical science, genetics, and developmental biology....

NEWS
Turning Point Founder Charlie Kirk Is Now with the Lord
Courageous Christian and creation supporter Charlie Kirk was murdered on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA event held at Utah...