Understanding the Present Time
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. — Romans 13:11-12 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your return is nearer now than it has ever been. I believe that. Some choose to live without that belief and one day they will awaken to that reality when you come in your glory. I want to understand the present time in which I live. Like the tribe of Issachar, I want to be a man "who understands the times and knew what Israel should do" (1 Chronicles 12:32). On this 249th anniversary of our nation's birth, give me awareness and understanding of our present hour for our nation and our world that I may wake up from my own slumber. Our salvation—your final rescue—really is nearer now than when we first believed. The long...