“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV).
The apostle Paul quoted Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 49:8) concerning the time of salvation that the coming Messiah would bring to both Jew and Gentile alike. Paul declared to the Corinthians that the long awaited for time had come. Paul began both phrases of his application of Isaiah’s prophecy with “behold, now.” The word “behold” called them to “look” and “see” with understanding. The word “now” demanded a sense of urgency to see that the appointed time had finally come and was upon them. What the faithful had long awaited with expectation was finally here.
As the Ecclesiates reading for today states, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1). So today, we live in the “favorable time” of the gospel, yet let us not “receive the grace of God in vain.” Having heard the gospel, now is the time to accept it. Having accepted the gospel, now is the day to live it out and proclaim it.
Behold, now is the day of salvation!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are so blessed to be living in the day of grace that the saints of old long awaited. For we live in the day when the gospel was given. Strengthen us to live the gospel and do the gospel and proclaim the gospel today. In Jesus’ name, amen.