WORK FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING

Did you move your clocks ahead an hour this morning? If not, you were probably an hour late for church this morning. Spring ahead, fall behind. A few years ago they moved up the date to begin Daylight Savings Time. This means darker in the morning for awhile, but more light in the evenings. But longer days are just the opposite of what is really happening to each of us. Because daylight is fleeing and the night is approaching rapidly in terms of the time that we have left to share the Gospel with others. Times are changing and I believe that if the Lord tarries, we will experience increased persecution and limits on our religious freedoms in the years ahead. In 1854, an 18 year old young lady realized that even for her the daylight was fading and she reminded us to work for the night is coming when we won't be able to work for the Lord anymore. Based on the passage in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work", Anna L. Coghill penned the words of this old hymn. And over the years the hymn has reminded us that our days upon this earth are numbered because of death or because Jesus could come again at any moment. And so we should be challenged to be about the work of the Lord while we have the health and the freedom to do so. For the time to do this is getting shorter for each of us. And unlike what we do with our clocks in the fall, we can't turn back time. The minutes gone are gone forever and during those minutes more and more of the world's lost move into an endless eternity without Christ. Lord help us to be mindful of the minutes that you will give us today to share the good news of the Gospel with others. May we be faithful, for the night is coming.

(1) Work, for the night is coming,

Work through the morning hours;

Work while the dew is sparkling,

Work 'mid springing flowers;

Work when the day grows brighter,

Work in the glowing sun;

Work, for the night is coming,

When man's work is done.

(2) Work, for the night is coming,

Work through the sunny noon;

Fill brightest hours with labor,

Rest comes sure and soon.

Give every flying minute,

Something to keep in store;

Work, for the night is coming,

When man works no more.

(3) Work, for the night is coming,

Under the sunset skies;

While their bright tints are glowing,

Work, for daylight flies.

Work till the last beam fadeth,

Fadeth to shine no more;

Work, while the night is darkening,

When man's work is o'er.

Listen to the words here. WORDS

Listen to a piano rendition here. PIANO