Eccl 3:1-9: To everything there is a season, and a time to
every purpose under the heaven:
Life has been carefully designed
and arranged by God in the order of time.
See Gen 1:14: And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven
to divide the day from the night; and let
them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
To understanding time is
knowledge. To work according to time is wisdom. When you understanding what
time you are in, you will know how best to react to every ordeal
Quote
A man without the
understanding of times is a man without direction.
A man without the
understanding of times is a man that owes humanity.
A man without the
understanding of times is a man who lives in his shadow (unrealistic)
God created times, seasons, days, months and
years. If you don’t understand times, you will not know when the winter is
over. Imagine a farmer that does not understand times. He will definitely sow while
others are harvesting.
Eccl 3:1 told us there is time for everything.
Understanding the
times is the best thing that could ever make a man stand-out.
What
does it mean to understand the times?
It means knowing
a.
When it would be time for specific event to take
place.
b.
How to interpret God’s written word
by recognizing the significance of past events and applying the lessons to the
present and the future.
c.
Means having a deep understanding, keen awareness
and discernment. It includes the mean of experiential knowledge which is
received through some outside force
Gen 49:14-15: Issachar is a strong ass couching down between
two burdens: And he saw that rest was
good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear,
and became a servant unto tribute.
1Chron 12:32: And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of
the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two
hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
Why
do we talk about the children of Issachar?
a. They understood the time when
David should begin to reign- although David has been anointed long ago, but the time has not come
until then.
b. They understood the times when things normally should take place.
c. The men of Issachar understood what God was about to do, and would be a
wonderful help in establishing the new kingdom.
d. David needed such men during this crucial time in Israel’s history.
e. The men of Issachar would see to it that David would not fail to
accomplish the task of integrating the entire kingdom under his reign
f.
For the first 7 ½
years of his reign, David was king over only ONE TRIBE. After the death of
Ishbosheth, King Saul’s son, the mighty men from all tribes came to Hebron determined
to make David king over all Israel. I Chronicles lists them, sometimes
mentioning their bravery.
But when it mentions the men of Issachar, it draws special attention to them as men “ .... Who understood the times and knew what Israel should do..”
But when it mentions the men of Issachar, it draws special attention to them as men “ .... Who understood the times and knew what Israel should do..”
Because
you are anointed today does not mean you will begin reigning today. Jesus did
not start his ministry before 30. Even when the mother thought since Jesus was
the messiah he should begin straight away to save his people. Jesus told her in
John 2:4: Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Even when a word of prophecy from
God comes to you, it will only come to pass at the set time. Psalms 102:13:
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the
set time, is come. Zion could never had experienced mercy except at the set
time.
Do you remember the story of
Esther and Modercai?
Esther 4:13-14: Then Mordecai
commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in
the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy
peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the
Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed:
and who knoweth whether thou art come to
the kingdom for such a time as this?
We could realize that God gave Esther
promotion for one purpose: to save the Jews from Haman’s plot. When God blesses
you, it is specifically for a purpose at a specific time. It is not only for
your personal consumption.
There are different times- the
Issachar knew the transition times and thus made the right decision. At times
like this, we require strength and character.
How to understand the
times
There is
only one way to understanding the times. It is by being totally connected and
linked with the one who changes the times- God
Dan
2:21-23 - And he changeth the times and the seasons; he sets up kings and
deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light
dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given
me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have
made known to us the dream of the king."
Romans
8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Daniel understood the times after
being connected to the time changer- God. Any man who is disconnected from the
God is rootless and cannot understand God’s ways and God’s timings.
To connect and receive from God
is faith, and faith comes by hearing of the word. Critical and frequent study
of God’s words gives you the connection to know and understand God’s timings.
You remember the ten virgins;
five were wise and five foolish. The ones that understood the timing of the
coming of the bridegroom were called the wise virgins. The foolish never
expected that they would be a delay of the groom’s arrival.
Romans
13:11- and that, knowing
the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. Some of
us have slept off even while we are supposed to be awake. Some youth are busy
chasing the shadows instead of fulfilling their destiny. Understanding the time
requires light. Can a blind man know the time? Can he see the change in
seasons? So is a man without Christ. God is the father of light (James 1:17).
Who are those that
understand the times?
The brethren, the children of the light, the children of the day, those who are not asleep, the watchful.
Think
of this:
Do
you know how many opportunities you have wasted because you lacked
understanding of the times? If Mordecai & Esther has not understood the
times, her generation would have perished. If David lacked this, he would have
been the king at the wrong time and his reign would have ended abruptly. If
Daniel wasn’t connected to the time-changer (God), he would have been killed in
Babylon and lost the promotion waiting for him.
In
life, you need to understand the times of where you are and then you will know
what to do. Joseph knew his dreams will come to pass even in the dry pit. He
understood times. When his time truly came, he was divinely promoted from the
prisoner to prime minister.
Prayer
If you
have not been connected to the time changer, then you lack direction. You are
like the farmer who plants during the harvest. You need the time changer. You
need God. To be connected, say this prayer:
Our
father in heaven, I appreciate you for the privilege to read this today, I know
you love me so much even while I disregard you. Please forgive me from all my
sins. Wash me with the blood of Jesus. Today, I accept Jesus into my heart as
my Lord and savior. I ask for your spirit of understanding of times so that I
would be able to discern events.
Thank
you Lord.
Written
under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
Grooming Empowered Youth
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