For those of us who are Christians, we are sojourning in a strange land. That land is this world. It is good for us to keep in mind that this world is not our home. Just as the saints of old, “desire[ed] a better country, that is, an heaveny,” [Heb 11:16] so we do as well, “for here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” [Heb 13:14] And because of this we should “pass the time of [our] sojourning here in fear,” which means we are to, as Peter exhorts,

"…As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, you will be holy; for I am holy." [1 Pe 1:15-16]

We are to conduct our lives on this strange land in a worthy manner. To live holy, set a part from the world. We are not to look like or act like or talk like the world. We are of a different politic. As Paul says,

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, The Lord Jesus Christ." [Phil 3:20]

Another thing we should be careful about is where our minds are, where our efforts are most heavily located. We do not want to be entangled with this world, with the anxieties of it. Jesus says that the anxieties and lusts and things of this world can choke His word so that it doesn’t bear fruit.

"And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the anxieties of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." [Mk 4:18-19]

And Paul says,

"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." [2 Tim 2:4]

It is clear that we must remain unburdened by this present age. For this present age is “passing away.” Let us not be as those described in Zephaniah, who thought they would remain on this earth forever and because of that continued to build houses, houses for this world that would soon be destroyed in judgment. Wrath is coming upon the world, and soon everything will be burned up. So we should hold very loosely to this present world.

"Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof." [Zeph 1:13]

Those described in Zephaniah built houses and planted vineyards, expecting to inhabit the earth for a great while longer. However, God had different plans and they never did inhabit the houses or drink of the fruit of the vineyard.

CONCLUSION

We shoud not assume we have another day on this earth. Expect the end of all things daily! We must, through God’s Holy Spirit, diligently pursue Him while there is still time, while it is day. For Jesus, says, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” [Jn 9:4] We must, as Moses exhorts,

"Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we acquire a heart of wisdom." [Psa 90:11-12]