Romans 13:11 GW
“You know the times in which we are living. It’s time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers.”
Just as Samuel had warned Israel about the behaviour of the king they were longing for (1 Sam 8), Saul, indeed, became a thorn in Israel’s flesh. He brutally ruled over them, and that certainly displeased the LORD. While God had chosen David to be the next king of Israel, Saul was all out to end his life at the earliest chance. However, by God’s help, David escaped death several times, and camped at a place called Hebron at some point. In Hebron, the LORD spoke to David to raise up an army to come against Saul and his kingdom. As such, mighty men of valor from all the tribes of Israel went to constitute David’s vast army at Hebron (1 Chr 12).
Notably, David enlisted not only brave and courageous men in his army, but he was careful to include men who knew and understood what God was doing in Israel from time to time. The sons of Issachar were those men; for they “…understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (1 Chr 12:32 AMP). Oh, how sensitively important that was! Indeed, it is wonderful to have the zeal to pursue things, but zeal without knowledge, especially of God’s will and timing, can be so frustrating. For the most part in the Scriptures, God did great exploits only when His people walked in His will, and according to His divine timing of things.
It’s for that reason that King Jehoshaphat—when in a tight spot along with the kings of Israel and Edom—asked a wise question, saying, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?” (2 Kin 3:11 NKJV). Hallelujah! In the same way, our Scripture of reference calls upon us to be aware of the times in which we are living now, and to wake up to the realities at hand. That only emphasizes further how we need the Holy Spirit. He knows with perfect accuracy not only what is present and what lies ahead, but also “…the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10 NKJV). We can always rely on Him to lead, guide, and help us.
Pst. Emmanuel