Allow me to focus on one specific word: “now.”
It is a word of massive, even ultimate importance. That’s because all we have is “now.”
We live in an ever present now. Yesterday was once now, but that time is past, and we don’t live there anymore.
And by the time we get to tomorrow, it too will be now.
The point is that all we have is now, and if we don’t do the will of God now, when will we do it? As Paul wrote,
“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 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 6:1–2)
And then this urgent word from Hebrews,
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.’” (Hebrews 3:12–15)
What is God saying to you today? What is He calling you to do now?
It’s easy to make great promises about everything we will do for the Lord tomorrow...