December 26, 2017 - - I Chronicles 12:32 Understanding the times

from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;

I Chronicles 12:32 NIV

This incredible statement is part of a huge list of the army officers of King David. The list is long and there are very few footnotes or comments on the names and peoples in the list. So it is significant that the leaders of the tribe of Issachar should know the times, know what to do and know how to keep their relatives under their command. What a strong statement of faith and courage.

"It has been rightly said that the loves of a few men move the lives of many. The deeply-held convictions of a zealous minority, tenaciously pursued, are culturally formative--at times for good, and at times for ill."

Joseph Boot "Gospel Witness: Defending and Extending the Kingdom of God" page 1

A few men and a few tenacious women are controlling the culture in Canada and leading all of Canada into ever greater perversity and grossest rebellion against God. Christians today must be those who understand our godless times and are prepared to stand up for righteousness and justice as God reveals it in His Word and while doing so call their relatives (brothers and sisters in Christ in the same denomination as well as their family in Christ from different denominations) to serve under the command of Christ.

Now is not the time to huddle in small fortresses of churches and moan about how the culture is going to hell in handbasket, instead, it is time to stand up and protest the wrongs. It is time to speak for what is right. It is time to be prepared for battle for the sake of Christ the King.

"...we are not to take flight, but to fight in prayer for the courage we need to witness to the truth with boldness, as we ought to speak. We should be confident of being granted this grace, because the Lord Jesus reminds us of his total victory, "You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world" (John 16:33).

Joseph Boot, ibid, page 9

Lord Jesus Christ, born a child and yet a King, move Your people to stand up for what is right and good. Let us be, as the men of Issachar were of old, those with understanding of the times and as those having wisdom bound up with courage in order to act as salt and light in this culture for Your glorious Name. Amen.