Today
Hebrews 3:7
“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts”
These words are generally applied to the unbelieving, the lost person who has never received God’s forgiveness of sin through the Lord Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
But the Psalm in which they occur and in the context here, they apply to the believer, to God’s people. “Today” is the Holy Spirit’s great word to believers in all of His dealings; whether the believer is weak and wandering from the fold, or strong and rejoicing in the Lord.
The Holy Ghost said “Today.” What does it mean? Why does He say it? Because God is the Eternal One, with Him there is no “Yesterday” or “Tomorrow.” God is ever in the present tense. His life is a never-ending day, “today.”
One of the great descriptions of Christ and His Salvation is the word “Eternal.” “Eternal Salvation,” salvation which bears the character of eternity. Its chief mark is that it is an ever-present “now;” meaning that there is not a moment, nor has there been, nor will there be, in which Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us, is not able to maintain us in it, in the power of an endless life.
Man is a creature of the moment, the past has gone from him, the future is ahead of him, and he has no control over it as yet, literally. He can do things for the future but he cannot do things in the future.
God’s word to us is “Today.” Satan’s, though, is “tomorrow” and that is human nature’s great word also, “later,” “A more convenient season”—hoping that things will be better then to make a decision. “The Holy Ghost saith today,” meaning He who is the mighty power of God is ready to work in us all that God wills and asks. He is pleading for immediate surrender. A present trust. Trust Him now, this moment, for He bears with Him a present deliverance. He is ready now to deliver and give victory.
“Today” is also a word of wonderful promise. It promises that at this very moment the love of God is “for thee” and the power of God is “with thee” in the thing He is pleading for you to do. His love and power are waiting to be poured into your heart to enable you. Within your reach is the power of God to empower and accomplish all of His will for you. The Holy Spirit reveals as we study and meditate upon God’s Word every temporal and spiritual need, every promise we read, and The Holy Spirit whispers “today.” Today He will begin to meet every need, today He will begin to fulfill every promise. He wants from us a complete and immediate surrender, a present trust, a perfect and complete trust in all things.
“Today” is a word also of solemn command. The “today” of the Holy Ghost brings us under the most solemn obligation to respond to God’s call. And to say, “Yes, today, Lord.” There are always unpleasant consequences when we delay or refuse, but great blessing when we obey.
Under His Wings,
Pastor Ed Bowen