Urgent Appeals

"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." (Hosea 10: 12 NIV)

"But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence." (Jonah 3: 8 NIV)

Preachers of the gospel, like the Hebrew prophets of old, announce the word of the Lord with a sense of urgency, often giving "urgent appeals."

Many, not understanding the nature of their message, think gospel preachers are "alarmists," perhaps even paranoid or suffering from the "Chicken Little syndrome."

Yet, who can justifiably call them "alarmists" if there is real impending danger? a real fire?

Has not Lord God sent his messengers to "sound the alarm" (Joel 2: 1)? Are we not thankful for those who sound the alarm and save us from harm? Yes, we detest "false alarms," but to be truly warned and alarmed is salvation.

That which is "urgent" is that which is "compelling or requiring immediate action or attention," an "imperative," that which is "pressing."

Sin is "an urgent matter." Knowing this, it is no wonder that the gospel messenger is often "insistent or earnest in solicitation" or "importunate, as a person," an "urgent pleader." Thus, gospel preaching is often "expressed with insistence," and with "an urgent tone of voice."

"For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (II Corinthians 6: 2)

This is certainly an urgent appeal from Lord God himself (conveyed to us by his spokesman). He thus warns against all delay and procrastination. The emphasis all through the scriptures is on the evils and perils of those who "put far off the evil day" (Amost 6: 3).

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." (Ecclesiastes 12: 1)

Those who do not do as the wise king admonished are they who "put far off the evil day," saying to themselves that they have all the time in the world to "make it right" with Lord God, and thus blindly justify their continuance in sin and in neglect of repentance and of love and devotion to their Creator.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1: 18)

But, sinners refuse this call to come and reason with Lord God about the matter of their sin and of their need of salvation. They "put it out of their minds" and "live in (spiritual) denial" about the pressing need of their souls and therefore they procrastinate in heeding the call of the Lord, who stands ready to hear them and speak to their hearts.

"Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you." (Jeremiah 26: 13)

"I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me." (Jeremiah 35: 15)

"Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried (urgently), saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD." (Zechariah 1: 4)

Thus the message of the prophets to the lost souls was urgent and insistent. They called upon sinners and unbelievers for immediate decision. Said Joshua to the ancient transgressors -

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, (then) choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24: 15)

But, sinners find all kinds of reasons to keep from becoming alarmed, as they should, making excuses and procrastinating in the most important matter of all time, one that warrants absolutely no delays in action.

"And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me (first); and let the dead bury their dead." (Matthew 8: 21, 22)

"And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 6: 61, 62)

These would be disciples did not realize the supreme urgency of this matter of following the Messiah. They recognized that it was important, but not as important, at least for the time being, with other secular matters.

Truly they did not see the danger of "putting off" doing what needed doing "now." They were unlike the Psalmist who said - "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands." (Psalm 119: 60 NIV)

Lost hardened sinners make it a habit to delay and procrastinate in their repentance and unbelief of heart.

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now (urgently) commandeth all men every where to repent." (Acts 17: 30)

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22: 16)

Friend, what is your "excuse" for delaying obedience to your Lord and Creator? "We implore (beg, urge, plead with) you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5: 20 NIV)