Verse of the Day 3/20

Verse of the Day 3/20

 

1 Chronicles 12:32   Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

King David's reign was one of military success, the Lord  was with him in battle and he had many capable leaders.  As today's verse would indicate, there was more  to his success than a group of  wise generals.  He had spiritual leaders, priests who knew of and had "understanding  of the times, to know what Israel ought to do."  The success of our nation is no different that David's.  We need capable leaders in our government and armed forces but we need wise, devoted pastors as spiritual leaders who know the times, know what it takes and aren't afraid to take on the challenges of the day "head on".

 

Jean and I were on our way down  to Florida yesterday and listened  to a message from  a pastor  in South Carolina.  He was handling a difficult, challenging passage for our day, Romans 1:18-27.  Many would shy away from this he didn't and gave a message that needed to be heard.

 

This morning I read a devotional from A. W. Tozer's writings which dealt with the same topic.  It is a long quote, but while given over a half century ago, it probably rings truer today than it did when he wrote it.

 

"Today we need prophetic preachers; not preachers of prophecy merely, but preachers with a gift of prophecy. The word of wisdom is missing. We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. It is not ability to predict that we need, but the anointed eye, the power of spiritual penetration and interpretation, the ability to appraise the religious scene as viewed from God's position, and to tell us what is actually going on....

 

Where is the man who can see through the ticker tape and confetti to discover which way the parade is headed, why it started in the first place and, particularly, who is riding up front in the seat of honor?...

 

What is needed desperately today is prophetic insight. Scholars can interpret the past; it takes prophets to interpret the present. Learning will enable a man to pass judgment on our yesterdays, but it requires a gift of clear seeing to pass sentence on our own day....

 

Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. Of God and Men, 19-22."  

 

We need preachers like that, pray for pastors with these gifts, pray for your pastor that is willing to see it like it is in our society and to tell it like it is from God's Word.  It will make for a stronger church and a stronger nation.

 

 

Blessings,

Mike

 

1 Chronicles 12:32-37The Message (MSG)

^23-37 Here are the statistics on the battle-seasoned warriors who came down from the north to David at Hebron to hand over Saul's kingdom, in accord with God's word: from Judah, carrying shield and spear, 6,800 battle-ready; from Simeon, 7,100 stalwart fighters; from Levi, 4,600, which included Jehoiada leader of the family of Aaron, bringing 3,700 men and the young and stalwart Zadok with twenty-two leaders from his family; from Benjamin, Saul's family, 3,000, most of whom had stuck it out with Saul until now; from Ephraim, 20,800, fierce fighters and famous in their hometowns; from the half-tribe of Manasseh, 18,000 elected to come and make David king; from Issachar, men who understood both the times and Israel's duties, 200 leaders with their families; from Zebulun, 50,000 well-equipped veteran warriors, unswervingly loyal; from Naphtali, 1,000 chiefs leading 37,000 men heavily armed; from Dan, 28,600 battle-ready men; from Asher, 40,000 veterans, battle-ready; and from East of Jordan, men from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, heavily armed, 120,000.

 

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