Understanding The Times

David fled to the wilderness – 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

It was a time of trouble and turmoil. These men sought after God’s appointed king, and became his army: 1 Chronicles 12:38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.

These hurting, hopeless men became an army, fit for battle. They had a heart to follow and honour the king. 1 Chronicles 12:22. ...they were all mighty men of valour. 1 Chronicles 12:23. These were ready armed to the war.

They knew the reality of the days they were living in. 1 Chron. 12:32. ...men that had UNDERSTANDING of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.
May we also have an understanding the times – and know WHAT we must do.

The Bible tells of a world where people’s foolish hearts are darkened… Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Ignorance prevails.

“Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroy information, religions destroy spirituality, and Bible publishers destroy God's Word.”

There is a shocking lack of knowledge. A war is being waged against the truth. People don’t know God. There’s a wilful ignorance. 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…

There is a gross lack of understanding. 2 Peter 3:3-5 …there shall come in the last days scoffers… People deny Bible truth like the mockers of Noah’s day.

Judgment looms! And the average Joe stands culpable. He has no defence. He has had every chance to reach out and know God.

They will be swept away in judgment - like it was in the days of Noah.

Either you will have understanding - or you will have ignorance. There is no middle ground! The Bible urges us: Ephesians 5:16-17 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but UNDERSTANDING what the will of the Lord is.

Does the will of God matter to you? Do you care to know and do His will?

Our lives are short. 1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

We live in evil and spiritually dangerous times... At the heart of all of this is a gross lack of understanding. Spiritual understanding.

Anti-God ideologies and godless philosophies abound. There is an increasing pressure to conform to the evil agendas being pushed upon us.

Legislators are increasing restrictions on your biblical beliefs and even your private conversations with your own children. The activists are attacking anyone who stands up for Bible truth and they hate Biblical Christianity. Christians are getting bullied everywhere. Wake up, oh sleeper. Wake up, Australia! Do not compromise with the world.

Darkness has enveloped the land… Sadly the church is asleep. Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil… The world is increasingly spiritually bankrupt...

Our world faces the wrath of God... We have need to warn the people, as in the days of Noah.

Our nation is broken, damaged, and it is spiralling more and more into moral chaos... People try and vainly turn to pills or drugs or drink.

People have abandoned Biblical standards of righteousness. They just blindly go along with the crowd and take the broad way, thinking little of spiritual truth. There is a dumbing down. People have lost the truth.

Many are asleep as to what is going on. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

We are called to be like David’s army. A disciplined fighting unit... in step with our great king...

We have need of true understanding about what is going on. May we be soberminded men and women - who wise up and can discern the times.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant… The enemy of our soul wants to threaten us. He wants Christians to be fearful and shrink back from challenges and to weaken our faith.

We have a reason for hope. A hope that is in us. A hope that lasts beyond the grave. A hope we want to impart to others. A sure and confident expectation. Our refuge is in God alone. And this hope motivates us.

As with David’s men... We can be a people of courage, who will keep rank, who march forward for our king, with one heart. A people who can know, with a true understanding, what is going on… and to know what it is we are meant to DO.

May we be armed, and ready for battle... Keep up the fight against the darkness. You have a personal assignment and privilege of being used by God. Go, fulfil your mission!