July 23

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.—Ecclesiastes 12:14.

AM I living, habitually, with both worlds in view, endeavoring to serve God faithfully, here, in all the duties of life, and so to be prepared to give up my account to him with joy and not with grief? Repenting of sin, have I come by faith to Christ, so that I can now look to him as my Saviour, as well as judge? Do I, in all things, remember my stewardship? My time, talents, influence, wealth, all that I have and am, do I regard as belonging to God, and to be faithfully used for him?

In the day of final judgment, every one of us must answer for himself. No one then can assume our guilt, or bear our responsibilities. The divine charge to each one of us, is “occupy till I come.” Whether God has given us one, or five, or ten talents, the call will soon be heard, “give an account of thy stewardship.” We should strive so to live, that we may not then hear the fearful addition, “Thou mayest no longer be steward!”

Time was; is past; thou canst not it recall. Time is; thou hast it; wisely use it all. Time future, is not: it may never be. Time present, is the only time for thee. Improve it well; the judgment hastens on; Soon must thou give account for all things done!