July 25, 2010
Background Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3
Devotional Reading: Psalms 89:1-8

Today, as I prepared to write, one of George Gershwin’s songs came to mind:
I’m bidin’ my time
‘Cause that’s the kind of guy I’m,
While other folks grow dizzy, I keep busy,
Just bidin’ my time.

That term “bide” is not used much today. It is defined as “to endure, bear, dwell, wait, remain, continue.” And to “bide one’s time” means “to wait for a favorable opportunity.” I had wrongly assumed that it meant to wait lazily, wastefully or aimlessly.
So, why this song? Because to me it is the chapter’s theme.
Previously, we noted that some of the Thessalonians, believing the Day of the Lord imminent, were no longer going about their normal activities because they expected Christ’s return at any minute.
Paul speaks clearly: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep away from any brother who is living in idleness … If anyone will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work” (3:8-11).

Imitate me?

Paul is not concerned with laziness per se, but the all-too-human temptation to manipulate religious belief as a substitute for faithful discipleship: “talking the talk” but not “walking the walk.” Paul was a preacher, but he was also a doer and his doing pretty much matched his preaching.

In fact, Paul tells the Thessalonians that he and his associates came “to give you in our conduct an example to imitate” (3:9; 1 Thess.1:6). These words are not born of pride, but of humble obedience to God, in whose sight, it is – and should be – frightening to say to others, “Look at me!”

Which of us live lives that point others to a Christian discipleship – not of words, but of faith, hope and love?

Paul lifts up two polarities, the wicked world and the faithful God: “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph … and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men … But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil” (3:1-3).

If that seems an obsolete concern, think again. Many today despair and give up because they see the world in the grip of the ruthless, the greedy and godless. This is not an illusion! Evil people do exist and even seem to prosper or prevail. But our faith assures us that God alone is in ultimate control of this world and His will is indestructible.

Once again it is a matter of upon which of these you will focus. The world is full of evil that makes for evil people. But, it is also full of the power of Christ and people whom he transforms. It is your choice: Upon which will you fix your attention?

Waiting expectantly

Today, most of us do not think much about the Day of the Lord. That can be good in that we are not fixed upon that one expectation to the exclusion of all else, or bad in that we may therefore forget the promise that God will fulfill whenever that Day may be.

So, we need to “bide our time,” waiting expectantly for whatever times and opportunities God gives us, refusing to lose our hope when, for the few brief seconds that comprise our time on this earth. it seems that we wait in vain. We must value the time God gives us.

“To the philosopher,” J.A. VanHorn says, “time is one of the fundamental quantities. To the average man, time has something to do with dinner!” The Christian is not called to be an “average” anything.

Frederick William Faber holds that, “The surest method of arriving at a knowledge of God’s eternal purposes about us is to be found in the right use of the present moment. Each hour comes with some little fagot of God’s will fastened on its back.”

Instead of spending valuable time trying to unlock the mysteries of eternity, let us bide our time, waiting actively to seize the right use of all our God-given moments.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.