LightGrams
October 22, 2020
Volume 24, Number 38
I remember going to carnivals in my growing-up years. I rode some of the classic rides: the Tilt-A-Whirl, Rock-O-Plane, Ferris Wheel, and others, and was thrilled on them – for a time. My limit was reached fairly soon, though, and I would think, “How much longer? Why don’t they stop this ride NOW?!”
Iselin Nybo is the Minister of Trade and Industry for Norway. She recently issued an apology to her fellow Norwegians when informing them of the coming time change from Daylight Saving to Standard Time. Her statement read: “As minister of time, I strongly regret that 2020 will be another hour longer. This has already been a very demanding year for many.” She, like most of Earth’s inhabitants, wants 2020 to end soon.
Two things should be noted about Nybo’s statement, even though one has to appreciate her sensitivity to the suffering of her people. First, the year was “shortened” back in March when Daylight Saving Time went into effect. Thus, the combination of the beginning and ending of Daylight Saving Time leaves the year at its same length as always. Second, does any person really have the power to alter time?
The desire to speed up time has been around for centuries. In Revelation 6:10 John wrote about martyred Christians crying out, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” In their minds the wait had been long enough. They pleaded for judgment on their enemies NOW.
What those saints recognized is what we must also acknowledge: The Lord is in control of the events of this earth. He alone has the power to extend or shorten time.
Joshua 10:12-14 describes an act of God that is unrivaled in all of history. In the midst of a battle Joshua cried out for God to cause the sun to stand still – for there to be more daylight by which to finish the battle. God has power that no human does; He can make a day longer, if that is His will.
The only psalm attributed to Moses speaks about time. After noting the normal life span of people, he makes this request: “So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Confessing that we are mortal – that we will one day come to our end – leads us to seek God’s instruction for living.
Peter wrote about God’s power over time: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). With no “heavens” (i.e. outer space) and no earth, it will be as the old song says, “When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more …”
The suffering of 2020 will eventually end. With Christ we are assured of a better future!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2020, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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