Do It Now.

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 12
 
I HAVE in my Bible a small card which was slipped into my letter-box some time ago along with a cycle advertisement. On one side was a printed table of prices, and on the other were the words, "Do it now." I have often thought of these three words, "Do it now," for they were obviously intended to invite attention, and in my case, indeed, had secured it.
How many times, too, has it been borne in upon me that in the affairs of this life men are very persistent in their endeavors to attract both eye and mind to things which promise either fame or money. No effort is spared and no expense considered too great, if only the end be reached.
If we turn to the word of God, we find how He, too, has displayed, if similar yet infinitely greater, persistence in His desire for the well-being and everlasting blessing of poor fallen man.
In the world all is confusion. Crime and sorrow, pain and death, are seen on every hand, and one stands appalled at the awful condition of God's once fair creation, and unavailingly do we look for any adequate remedy in the power of man to offer. Here we see man oppressing and over-reaching his brother, using every effort for the attainment of wealth, power, or distinction, regardless of the cries and tears of those whom he would use as his tools by which to gain his purpose.
Man too, on every hand, denying God, and propounding schemes from which may be eliminated the necessity of an omniscient controlling power in the universe.
We are asked to believe that the Infinite Being, Who by His word called things into existence, is regardless of His creatures' groans, and that the purpose of creation has been forever frustrated!
But has God forsaken His handiwork? Has He, Who commanded light to shine out of darkness, surrendered His purpose in regard to man because of his departure from Himself? Is it so, that because we have gone so grievously astray, we are left to ourselves—as well and deservedly we might have been—uncared for and un-pitied, and without hope? For the answer to this let us see what is recorded in the very first pages of the inspired history.
In the third chapter of Genesis we read of God coming down to speak with Adam and Eve, after their sin in disobeying His word, and announcing One to come that should bruise the serpent's head—the future Deliverer from Satan's power—in Whom they could hope—henceforth the only but all-sufficient hope and confidence of every contrite soul.
All through the successive periods of God's trial of mankind there shines out—dimly perhaps, but nevertheless perceptible to the eye of faith,—One to be born, Who should judge the world in righteousness, and fill the earth with blessing and glory, as the waters cover the sea. And in the New Testament we find yet more, even that He will bring in new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness shall dwell. But this same One was foretold as "despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” by Whose stripes (His believing people can say) we are healed.
Yes, the God Who might righteously have destroyed forever His ungrateful and rebellious creatures for their despising of His goodness and rejection of His provision for man's happiness is He Who has provided the only effectual remedy for man's sin and ruin by sending forth into this, world His beloved Son to die for our sins. He it is, too, Who has with the utmost persistence and long suffering pressed upon mankind His divine message of grace. God's love has been manifested in the gift of His only begotten Son, and is now proclaimed far and wide so that all may know. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting, life" (John 3;16).
God in His grace is still calling you to hear His voice, that you may repent and believe the gospel, and be blessed now and forever.
May not we too in view of the coming wrath upon every unrepentant and unbelieving soul, urge you, dear reader, to flee to Him in this the day of salvation, Whose death has so glorified every attribute of God's nature, that God has, for our justification, raised from the dead the Lord Jesus Who was delivered up for our offenses, and has with His right hand exalted Him a Prince and a Savior to give repentance and forgiveness of sins.