“This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances” (Isaiah 49:8).

Just before this passage, Isaiah was speaking about the Lord’s servant who would come not just to restore Jacob/Israel, but that He (Jesus) would also be a light to the Gentiles/nations. God promises to bring salvation and restoration to all people. Paul quotes Isaiah in his second letter to the believers in Corinth.

“For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Jesus came and did what God promised. And now there is an urgency. TODAY is the day of salvation. People always assume they have plenty of time to believe and/or repent. But it just isn’t so. Scripture gives us ample warnings not to put off repentance.

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95:7–8)

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13)

I know it may sound trite, but none of us is promised tomorrow. That is why today is the day to take advantage of God’s grace and mercy. Today is the day to repent and ask God’s forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.

I mentioned repentance yesterday as well. It literally means “to turn.” When you are heading down the wrong path, you need to turn back to God. It does not matter if you have taken one step or millions of steps down that wrong path. Turn. Go back to the Father. He is not waiting with a scowl on His face. He is like the Father in that parable known as “The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15). He is waiting to welcome you home with open arms.

If you have wandered and strayed, it is not too late, as long as you are still breathing. Today is the day to turn.

Softly and Tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

CHORUS
Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling, O sinner, come home.

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
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Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, death-beds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
CHORUS

Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
CHORUS