No, we are not talking about the National Organization of Women, but about 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2. Paul wrote, "And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (for he saith, At an acceptable time I harkened unto thee, and in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation)... "

This quote is from Isaiah 49:8 and the context shows this to be the message. A time, acceptable to God, would come when the Gentiles would be brought into the fold and there would be, ". . . salvation unto the end of the earth" (Isa. 49:6). At that acceptable time and day of salvation God promised to do five things. That time, Paul says, is now. So what are these five promises of God in Isaiah 49?

God would give help to his people (49:8). And do we need it! There is not a thing we can do about our guilt and sin but live with them unless God will help us. That is what he promises here and now. If we are in Christ, we have this help.

God will preserve his people (49:8). No one will be able to snatch us out of his hand if we want to stay there (John 10:28). Security is so important to peace of mind and contentment. We need it and with God we have it.

God will feed us and remove our hunger and thirst (49:9, 10). We are filled when we have Christ for he is the fulness of God and we are complete in him (Col. 2:8-10). According to verse 12, we enter Christ by baptism.

God will lead us and guide us (49:10, 11). Sounds like the good shepherd to me. Psalm 23 comes to mind and the little wayward lamb in the arms of the Savior paints a graphic picture (Matt. 18.12). The Bible contains it all (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet.1:3; Jude 3). God promises to lead us and show us the way and has done that through the Bible.

Finally he will comfort and have compassion on us (49:13). After a hard day, the comfort of home and family is so important and helpful. After a hard life battling evil and sin, the rest and comfort of a home and family in heaven will be wonderful (Heb. 4:1-11). But, that comfort and compassion begins now. That is what God is saying in 2 Corinthians 6:2. Now is the day of salvation when this can begin for you.

But, you know what the problem is? People want to wait. They want a better day or time. They think up every excuse under the sun to keep from coming to God, now. Why? Just give credit where credit is due: it is the Devil.

God says now is the day, now is the time, now is the moment. Seize it! Make it your time. If you have been saying, "later," stop it! Repent and be baptized for the re-mission of your sins today (Acts 2:38). There was a time when you could not. What a privilege to live at a time now when you can.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 2 p. 15
January 16, 1997