Today’s scripture: Psalm 102 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):
Look at your watch, clock, or phone, something that tells time. What time is it? Is it 6 a.m., 12 noon, 5:30 p.m., midnight? Now that you know what time it is; what time is it? Is it time to go to work, eat breakfast, go to the doctor’s, workout at the gym, do your homework, make dinner, or go to bed? Furthermore, who told you what time it was? Your job, your newborn, your spouse, your stomach?
Regardless of who or what determines your daily schedule, I want to focus your mind on a better way to look at time.
In the book of Genesis, in the first and second chapters, we see our God setting the world in order. With each new day, God set a different agenda. On the first day, God created day and night (Genesis 1:5). On the second day, God created the heavens to separate the water on the earth from the water in the atmosphere (Genesis 1:6-8). As you read through the week of creation, you see that God has a pattern: God sees what is needed, speaks it into existence, and when God inspects it for quality, God calls it a day.
You are an offspring of God (Galatians 4:6, Philippians 2:15). You have the same power and ability as your heavenly Parent. In today’s scripture, the psalmist, although he had been going through much affliction (Psalms 102:1-11), in the midst of his tribulation, stops time. He shares all his trials and tribulations, and then I believe he says within himself, “Enough of this foolishness;” thus enters verse 13. He says now is the time to receive God’s favor, which means that everything that is not bringing him joy, peace, and prosperity must stop immediately. Why did he declare it right then? Maybe it was because he was tired of going through it all. Maybe it was because he remembered that he was an heir of God so there were certain things that he just didn’t have to put up with. Maybe it was a combination thereof; yet regardless to his reasons, he stopped time!
If you look at your world and it doesn’t look the way you want it to, stop and declare it to be the way you want it to be for that is your right (Job 22:28). If you say it’s time to have a job you love and that does more than just pay your bills, then that’s what time it is! If you say it’s time to live out your passion to teach, then that’s what time it is! If you say it’s time for cancer to leave, then that’s what time it is! Don’t call it it a day, until it looks like good to you, just like your heavenly Parent did (Genesis 1:10,12). Your time is yours to call. Call it whatever you like.
Prayer for the day: Lord, help me to remember that I have the power and authority to stop time. May I start this day to declare that my time is what I want it to be and everything you would want for me!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.