“Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.” Exo 16:8

Warning: Complaining is hazardous to your health. Despite it not being included among the notorious “seven deadly sins”, the unambiguous teaching of Scripture is: if it is not checked, complaining can kill you.

If you are not convinced, I wish I could direct you to the Levite tribal leader Korah and his entire family for their insights. Tragically, you won’t find them. While griping about Moses’ and Aaron’s misguided leadership was fresh on their lips, “the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them” (Num 16:32).

Paul was clear-eyed about the dangers of verbalizing one’s displeasure or frustration. In 1 Cor 10 he cites three events from the Old Testament that were specifically recorded as dire warnings to us. While the mention of unrestrained acts of sexual perversion and the worship of foreign and false gods is not surprising, his final example seems out of sync. He writes:
“nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (v. 10)

Ouch! Does that seem excessive to you? If your answer is yes, you may be treading in treacherous waters. You are most likely unperturbed by a bit of bellyaching. A few blasts of criticism here or bluster there probably has ceased to prick your conscience. You are so surrounded by it that you no longer realize you may be dancing with the devil.

Beloved, sin typically follows the slippery slope highlighted in Jam 1:14-15. People don’t generally wake up one morning and say, “I think I’ll commit adultery today”. We are drawn, enticed, lured. One tiny compromise leads to another. Standards are lowered so incrementally we don’t take notice. We lose our sensitivity to things that once disturbed us. The wineskin of our hearts hardens and cracks. Unchecked lips give way to becoming a disgruntled person, which germinates into becoming someone who is perpetually offended. Words morph into attitudes which culminate in actions.

The Greek word for complain (gongyzo) also describes a cooing pigeon. Like the mourning dove, it’s a low-volume drip drip of a sound, not a screech. Hence our English word murmur is derived not from a harsh, discordant voice, but a mur-mur, a repetitive and easily disregarded, below-the-surface hum. A common Hebrew word translated complain also means to lodge or remain. In other words, your yammering is hammering stakes like anchors into the soil of pessimism, negativity and a cynical spirit.

When I need a reality check about my words and attitudes I think of Sister Zhu. A single mom jailed with her son Moses for more than 20 years for her faith, she is one of most contented and life-giving people I ever met. The most common phrase upon her lips, blissfully proclaimed in all circumstances good and bad, is etched into my memory. I “see” her shining countenance even now as she raises another: “Thanks God!” She embodies the timeless declaration of David the beloved psalmist when he penned, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise [not fussing] shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps 34:1).

In closing, consider Moses’ rebuke directed at the children of Israel’s whining as they faced monotony and uncertainty in the Wilderness. Imagine how shocked they must have been to learn that God, not Moses and Aaron, was the one to whom their criticisms were directed. Beloved, watch what you say, and how you say it! When you are tempted to spew out your list of grievances against work, wife, or weather, turn it around and offer it as praise instead. As the Good News Translation frames this familiar proverb:

“Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroyed himself.” Pro 13:3

“[Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob…they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” Heb 11:9,13

The father of our faith was a nomad. When he chose to leave the land of his fathers, he had to leave lots of stuff behind. How many things could he carry with him on those camels? It’s doubtful his tents had much closet space! Those who follow in the footsteps of Abraham, who call his God their God, are of necessity called to walk in the pilgrim way. And that means taking a good, hard look at all the stuff we are holding on to.

I began my sojourn in Asia 39 years ago with a backpack and a guitar. As we prepared to “fold up our tent” to return back to America recently, we had to make a lot of hard choices. Even modern day “camels” wouldn’t be able to haul all the stuff we had collected through the years. Some things needed to be sold or given away; others went straight to the dumpster. A key quality of nomads is they are able to travel light. It was actually quite liberating to divest.

The children of Israel modeled the pilgrim way as well. On short notice, they were told to flee the horrors of slavery to Pharaoh. God instructed them to eat their last meal “with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand” (Ex 12:11). Things they held dear had to be left behind as they fled for their lives, only to spend the next forty years as tent-dwelling nomads in the wilderness. Lest they forget, every Passover Jews are commanded to reenact the night they had to kiss so many of their treasured possessions goodbye.

This is not random or insignificant. There are at least twenty-four references in the Bible to being pilgrims. Often, as in Hebrews, it is paired with “strangers” or “aliens”, and sometimes “pilgrims” is translated “sojourners”. The application for us today is clear. First, we do not belong here; our true citizenship and identity are not of this world. And secondly, we are just passing through. As “visitors” we must constantly remind ourselves that everything we are involved with here and now is fleeting and temporary. When it comes to possessions, the proverbial you can’t take it with you is not just a cliche.

It’s no wonder that John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the greatest literature classics of all time. Written 350 years ago, Pilgrim’s Progress has been translated into more than 200 languages. It is one of the most read books in history—not simply because it was so well written, but because its message is relevant and eternal. Christians from every age—indeed, from every nation and culture—can relate to this most basic image: we are all pilgrims. The moment we say yes to Jesus, we embark on an exhilarating and epic journey of faith. Though we encounter triumphs and tragedy, successes and setbacks, by God’s grace we keep pressing on to our true and lasting home. To the degree we are able to walk and and reflect the mindset of a pilgrim, our progress will be guaranteed.

Jesus of course is the Pilgrim of pilgrims. He perfectly exhibited the standard of being in this world, but not of it. When a rich young man ran up and knelt before him one day, Jesus loved him, and invited him to follow in his steps. But one thing stood in the way. Stuff. He had amassed lots of it, to the point that its weight and demands made it impossible for this otherwise zealous and sincere man to become a true disciple.

There has never been a richer generation. There has never been a time when the weight and demands of our stuff has had the potential to impede our progress to live as true followers of the Master. Don’t overburden your camels. The forerunners of our faith were nomads. Our Savior had no place to lay his head. Travelers and sojourners learn the value, indeed the necessity, of traveling light. The rich young ruler stumbled over this simple truth, but “went away sorrowful”, unable to walk in the pilgrim way. May God help us—yes, give us the courage—to take stock, to do some spring cleaning…to make the hard choices that free us to joyfully follow our Master and Pilgrim to the end.

“Those who feared the LORD spoke to one another. The LORD took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the LORD and had high regard for His name” Mal 3:16 CSB

Imagine for a minute what the library in heaven must look like. Its shelves must stretch for miles and miles! The prophet Malachi is saying something here that is not only profound, but exhilarating. Whenever you or I or any of His children speak reverently about Him and the things pertaining to His Kingdom, He takes notice, then preserves our conversations for eternity.

God–Creator, Designer, and Sustainer of the Universe–is also an Author. David had a revelation about this when he was captured by the Philistines. Some years prior, David had completely humiliated them when he decapitated their hero, Goliath. Despite facing certain retribution, Psalm 56 says David beamed with confidence: “This I know: God is on my side!” (v.9) He further declared:

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (v.8, NLT)

He realized this great and awesome God was intimately acquainted with him. Because he feared the Lord, a book citing his deeds was being written about him by the Hand of God. Psalm 139 states David understood that the Lord even witnessed the times when he sat down, and when he stood up again. The details of his life, from the moment the Father had formed and fashioned him in his mother’s womb ‘til he breathed his last breath, were being “recorded in Your book” (v.16).

We might think it reasonable that God would write David’s story. Afterall, he was exceptional, a leader who strides the stage of world history, a standout in so many ways. But would He really take an interest in someone like me? Is my story worth telling? Does God really care about the things I say and do?

Did you ever notice something seems a bit out of place about Jesus’ genealogy? Historically and culturally speaking, genealogies typically follow the fathers’ ancestral line. But Matthew strangely includes the names of four women in 1:3-6. This is not random. It reveals God’s heart. Though each of these women had strikingly embarrassing flaws (one committed incest, one adultery, and another was a prostitute!), God remembers them. A whole chapter in Genesis is devoted to Tamar. Rahab’s story occupies parts of Joshua 2 and 6, and she is heralded as an example of faith in both James and Hebrews. Solomon was so impacted by his mom, Bathsheba, that he praises her in more than 20 verses of Proverbs.

And then there is Ruth. Why is she so special? She was a Moabitess, raised in idolatry. Yet when presented with the opportunity to return home to her people, to the prospect of marriage and comfort, Ruth chose to cling to her mother-in-law Naomi, and to Naomi’s God. When she did, the Lord took notice and listened, and a book of remembrance was written about Ruth. Her actions proved that she had high regard for His name, so God recorded her story in detail, and He rewarded her. Not only did she become the great-grandmother of King David, her legacy includes being in the ancestry of Jesus, the Son of God.

While it would be impractical to honor every person in Israel’s history who excelled in the fear of the Lord with his or her own book in the Bible, the Book of Ruth forever stands as a clear reminder to us of the truth of Malachi’s words. God takes notice of the lowly and flawed, of people with checkered pasts and “disqualifying” resumes. It is not just the David’s of history that are enshrined in His scrolls. If we hold Him in the highest regard—if we adore, esteem, and pursue Him–He’s watching and listening. And if we could see beyond the veil and into His courts, we might even see Him, eyes a-twinkle at His desk with quill in hand, proudly composing another chapter in the book that bears your name.

My Forefather Was a Cave Man

“David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.” 1 Sam 24:3
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let your glory be above all the earth” Ps 57:5 _{A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.}

David wrote some of his best Psalms while living deep in the belly of caves. Obviously, these damp, dank caverns did not inspire his adoration. Exalting God must never be restricted to days when all is cheery and comfortable. The cave man who walks in the footsteps of David blesses the Lord at all times, His praise is continually in his mouth…yes, even when fleeing from a crazed and murderous foe, only to make his rocky bed along side snakes, scorpions, and scoundrels.

Those same scoundrels—straggling gangs of rejects and misfits (1 Sam 22:1-2)—could not have imagined that they were about to transformed into the first in a long line of Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s special forces, the most feared on earth. Armed at first with slingshots and ass jawbones (First Gen Galil rifles and Lotar tactical knives!), they sure got the job done. Seriously impressive!

Weapons are the hardware of warfare; but it’s the software of character that is the true mettle of champions. Even the best training does not produce a man who will fight like Eleazar did when his hand “stuck to the sword” as he single-handedly defeated scores of Philistines in battle (2 Sam 23:9-10). Dedication, submission, teamwork, fortitude, and courage are not addenda in a military handbook; they are at its core. They are forged not in the classroom, but through the anvils of hard knocks, grit and a never-give-up spirit. They are branded upon the heart of the tested.

Life lessons—those defining moments that stake exclusive claims upon our personalities and priorities—are deposited uniquely during cave encounters. Consider the hour when David had his cruel nemesis trapped. Having taken refuge in a cave as Saul’s three-thousand-strong elite force pursued him, David snuck up behind the unsuspecting king as he had providentially entered the cavity to relieve himself. Lesser men would have wielded daggers of anger and retribution against the man who had senselessly tried to spear him–not once but two times. David chose to honor and forgive. Even clipping the skirt of Saul’s robe stuck in David’s craw.

It was not possible for any of the distressed, debt-ridden, and discontented ragtag recruits in David’s band to witness this supreme act of benevolence and not come under conviction and be changed. How could they find space in their spirits to hold grudges, justify bitterness, or harbor revenge when their captain had just raised the standard of a man so strikingly high right before their eyes?

Nearly one thousand years after David, another man entered a cave, but this time for you and me. After being stripped and minced by beatings, then nailed and flailed by His hands and feet to gruesome planks of wood, the bloodied and breathless Captain of our souls was sealed in a cave in apparent defeat. From His shamed perch atop Calvary, he did not complain or cast blame. Receiving no mercy, He extended mercy. Mocked, in return he blessed. Condemned, he decreed pardons to prisoners and captives everywhere and for all time.

This empty cave now stands as the unrivaled climax of mankind’s tumultuous and rebellious story. It screams, “Mercy wins!” In awe, we venture into it like David’s fragmented fighters had come to Adullam’s chasm in the foothills of ancient Judah. Now, we too have become witnesses…of Him who burst forth from this grave, the only One to have ever lived completely above reproach, exalted as the only perfect Model of excellence, charity and selflessness. As David’s mighty men ran at his side into battle, let us pursue Jesus with all that is within us, not shunning the cross and tomb, but letting it do a work in us, even as it worked in our beloved Captain.

“It was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Heb 2:10

“The person who lacks these qualities…has forgotten the cleansing that he has received from his past sins.” 2 Pet 1:9 ISV

When I park my car at night, I take a picture of it. Sounds strange, I know. But there are no designated parking spaces where we live. It could be at Block A, or B, or on seven different levels of a multi-story car park. If I don’t take a picture, I won’t be able to find it by the next morning. I’ll wander around wasting precious time wishing I had taken a picture. The problem is, I’d forgotten to!

When it comes to remembering things, I need all the help I can get! I rejoiced the first time I saw sticky notes. I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread!

I think Peter was forgetful. He certainly knew the danger of it when he penned his second epistle, his stated purpose being: “to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things” (1:15). But it is the warning he writes a few verses prior, in verse 9, that really strikes me between the eyes. How is it even possible that any believer could forget he was cleansed from his past sins? How could this work of grace, the turning point of a life, the centerpiece of our faith, the moment our chains fell off, be so carelessly brushed aside?

And yet it happens all the time. People forget. They make sacred vows and don’t keep them. They gloss over the nurture and sacrifices of their own mother’s love. They act as though blood spilt to secure their freedoms by our forefathers never happened. They get so absorbed in today or tomorrow that the past is whirr…gone with the wind.

God knows us, and has therefore not left us to wallow in our weaknesses. Though it was costly, he commanded all the men of Israel to gather in Jerusalem three times a year. These convocations were instituted to provoke us not to forget. In the Passover, we recall the great price paid to deliver us from suffering and slavery. Pentecost reminds us that God Himself is our Source of life and strength, lest we try to get by on our own abilities. And finally, during the Feast of Tabernacles the children of Israel spent seven nights living in flimsy, makeshift booths in order to never forget that apart from Him, life is aimless and stagnant, a veritable wilderness.

If all our families were required to spend seven nights in a year in shacks, I suspect it would get our attention, don’t you?!

Jesus gave us communion. Though a simple ceremony, it’s message is profound. As we partake of the bread, and then the cup, we are prompted to think deeply on the excruciation—the stripes, the thorns, the nails–of the crucifixion. That as often as we do it, we are embracing the memory of His life broken and laid down for us in order that all our sins–past and present–are utterly and irrevocably pardoned.

The truth is, none of us set out thinking we will one day become a casualty. No one imagines that in two, or five, or ten years he or she will grow cold towards the things of God. No one comes out of the waters of baptism believing there will ever come a time when he or she will cease to be astounded and grateful for the gift of forgiveness.

I’m reminded of when I was a young teenager. I’d taken a boat out fishing at our family camp, but I had been too casual in mooring it to the dock upon return. During the night, the toing and froing of the waves had loosened the ties, and by morning the boat was gone. Although we recovered it several hundred meters away the next day, we almost lost it. We just can’t take those kind of chances with our salvation.

Remembering what God has done for us requires us to tie good knots, and check them often that the waves of life don’t weaken them. One way to avoid becoming a victim of forgetting is to be intentional to remember. This lesson is magnified by Peter’s use of two Greek words (lethe lambano) in 1 Pet 1:9, which literally means to forget to lay hold of. He follows by exhorting us to be diligent to recall, or “work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen”. Finally, he punctuates this verse by saying “if you do these things you will never stumble”. You’ll never float away, like my boat.

In a nutshell, we have to be clear-minded about our frailty. Though some may have better memories than others, we are all prone to forget. Seek out a community where the redemption stories are told, and songs are sung. We must realize that remembering requires a concerted effort, and not forgetting means creating and cherishing rhythms of life whereby the true and lasting benefits of communion, or the feasts, remain with us long after the last matzah ball has been gleefully consumed.

“He shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” 2 Sam 9:11

Last month the world witnessed the passing away of the longest reigning monarch in British history. But Queen Elizabeth II not only ruled for more than seventy years; she ruled well. She was honorable, courageous, witty, and the embodiment of elegance and grace. Her funeral may well have been the most watched event in the history of the world, with some claiming the number to be more than five billion people, nearly 2/3 of the world’s population!

2 Samuel 9 gives us a window into the heart and mind of another Sovereign, in fact, arguably the most revered to have ever reigned: King David. According to this chapter, David was inexplicably moved to show someone “the kindness of God” (v.3). So whom did he choose? One of his most esteemed generals? The wisest of his advisors? His most faithful servant? No, of all people, he goes out of his way to shower blessings upon “someone from the house of Saul”. That’s right, King Saul, the man who was obsessed with one thought above all else; for years, he pursued David in order to kill him.

It’s tempting to make this story about David being a type of Jesus, who, for doing nothing to deserve it, showered His love upon us, and has elevated us to have a seat at His table. This is all true, and I certainly would never make light of the riches of His mercy towards me!

Rather than making this about Jesus and me, I am challenged to make this about me and the Mephibosheths in my life. When is the last time I was quickened by an overwhelming desire to want to absolutely and astonishingly bless the socks off someone else? And not just my buddies, or the more deserving people in my world either? Someone unexpected. Someone that would be gobsmacked and most certainly brought closer to his or her Redeemer.

Favor is a powerful, powerful force. If you have ever been blown away because someone chose you, or for some unknown reason liked you especially and sought ways to bless, endow, or promote you, then you know what I am talking about.

David experienced much favor in his life. He refers to it eleven times in Psalms. He must have spoken to his son Solomon much about it as well, since it is mentioned fifteen times in Proverbs. The word “kindness” here (Heb. hesed) is also translated as mercy, grace, and favor. David considered well “all His benefits” (Ps 103:2) towards him. He recounted the time Samuel chose him above his seven older brothers. He surely was amazed that he, above all those better qualified, was invited to be the court minstrel for King Saul, or marry his daughter the princess, or that the King’s son was his best friend. It humbled him, knowing the favor he received could never have been earned. I mean, a rival king, Hiram of Tyre, sent world famous cedar–along with carpenters, stonemasons and craftsmen–to build David his royal residence—for free. If that’s not a picture of favor, what is?! (see 2 Sam 5)

When I recount all the ways God has favored me, our kids, our family, our ministry, it also moves me to tears. Why are people led to give sacrificially to us? Every place we have ever lived has been a testimony of favor resting on us. One man, an unbeliever, was moved to give us a fortune in silver, sets of cutlery, expensive plates, etc for a few hundred dollars, after turning down generous offers from dealers. He may not have understood why, but we knew it was the Lord that caused him to show us the kindness of God.

Favor brought redemption to Mephibosheth in so many areas. When David sought for him in barren and distant Lo Debar, there are at least six ways favor elevated him. Perhaps you can relate to some of these as well:
1. Redeemed from Victimhood. Mephibosheth had been dropped and made crippled by his maid when she fled upon the news of the death of his grandpa, King Saul, and his father, Jonathan. He, like many today, always had his victim card at the ready: “it’s someone else’s fault I’m like this, and there is nothing I can do about it.” Not anymore.
2. Redeemed from Banishment. Exiled since he was five, Mephibosheth had likely stopped dreaming he would ever return to Jerusalem, the cultural and spiritual center of the Kingdom, again.
3. Redeemed from Fear. He fled in fear. He lived in constant fear that one day troops would discover his hideout in obscurity. When summoned, he fell on his face in trepidation, until he heard the shocking words of David say to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness” (v.7)
4. Redeemed from Poverty. Next, David said words that had seemed impossible: “I will restore to you all” the inheritance left to him by Saul. David even assigned the household of Ziba (fifteen sons and twenty servants) to manage his newly acquired land.
5. Redeemed from Indignity. Mephibosheth reveals the depths of his self-pity when he called himself a “dead dog”. We’re not talking your household poodle, certainly not a Welsh corgi! Dogs were considered dirty, and scavengers. It was bad enough to think of oneself as a dog, but I can’t imagine identifying as something worse than a dead one!
6. Redeemed from Shame. Crippled people in ancient times were hidden by their families from the public eye. They were a stigma, or worse, a sign of being cursed. The crippled man whom Peter and John healed in Acts 3 did not even appear to have a name, for in the whole story he is only referred to as “a certain man”! But all that sense of shame melted away as Mephibosheth sat side by side at the King’s table with the princes and princesses of David’s household for the rest of his life.

As we reflect on all the ways God’s favor has redeemed us, may we also find ourselves moved by the same Spirit that stirred David’s heart that day. May we realize that all the kindness God has showered upon us was never meant to be just for our own gratification. Help me, Lord, to be inspired to action by the example of King David. Let me too be a channel of the kindness of God to people around me–that they might experience Your favor through me, and taste the sweetness of redemption in so many incredible ways, just like Mephibosheth.

“Astonishment swept over the crowd, for they were amazed over what had happened.” Act 3:10 TPT

When Peter and John healed the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, the Bible says: “the whole crowd ran to them in amazement” Act 3:11 (CEV). As the Spirit was freshly poured out, the reaction of the crowds to the miracles performed by those go-for-broke first century Christians was extraordinary. Luke had to keep coming up with superlatives!
“They marveled”
“filled with wonder and amazement”
“confounded”
“greatly astounded”
“everyone was in awe”
Their testimony were so convincing, “[the crowds] could say nothing against it”. Thousands were saved, and within a short time even their detractors had to admit, much to their chagrin, the entire city of Jerusalem had been filled with their message (Act 5:28). It had become unstoppable.

In recent years, worldwide chatter of a coming revival has been on the uptick. For many, the yearning to see a move of God is not simply an agenda item any more; it is the one and only item on their dockets worth clinging on to.

Back in the 1930’s hordes of people fled the dustbowl conditions of the midwestern plains in America and headed West. They left all behind. Many would not make it, but they were determined, even if it they died trying. A phrase popularized at the time, “California or bust!”, applies to people who will use every means possible to reach a desired destination, even if they have to spend their last penny, or expend their last breath.

These people did not set out on a whim. Tales of “striking it rich” were coming from the coastal frontiers. While their own crops wilted, they watched as truckloads of fruits and produce were zigzagging across the country, and to foreign lands, from California’s sun-rich paradise. Gold Rush folklore from their grandparent’s generation still inspired the courageous among them to “go West, young man”.

In our day, we need an RRC: Revival Refresher Course. We need to hear the stories of those who have struck it rich during past visitations. We need to be convinced God can do more in a month of a genuine open heaven than we could ever do in a generation of our best efforts. We need to realize Heidi was an ordinary missionary until she was completely wrecked and transformed during the “Toronto Blessing”. We need to revisit the stirring testimonies of the Great Awakenings, the Finney & Welch Revivals, the Latter Rain Movement, and the Charismatic Renewal.

And we need to go back to the Word. There is no better place to be rekindled for a new move of God than to feel the fiery heat of those who stewarded the first and original outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Signs and wonders followed them. Pagan centers like Samaria were filled with unquenchable joy. Regions like Joppa reverberated with excitement after a kind Christian woman was raised from the dead. When a regional Roman military commander’s family, friends, and soldiers were spontaneously filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, the gospel went forth in power to the Gentiles. Those were the days!

The glory of the latter move is going to be better than the former. Have we only ever seen the ankle- and knee-deep, perhaps the waist-high swells of the river of God? Will we be the generation—will you and I be the people—who will need to swim in it, when God’s glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea?

Enough is enough. My mind is made up. I’m casting all the distactions aside. My dust dwelling days are over! Wanna join me? I’m hittin’ the road with my banner lifted high: “Revival or Bust!”

“To everything there is a season; A time for every purpose under heaven.”  Ec 3:1

Whether in sports or stocks—or nearly anything we do—the adage “timing is everything” is immutably true. So when the Word equates living by the Spirit and keeping in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25 NIV), the implication is clear: it is not enough to only know what God wants us to do; we must also discern when. 

Soon after David’s rule over all Israel had been established in Hebron, 1 Chronicles 12 says he tabulated the size and strengths of each tribe’s contribution to Israel’s army. Some were praised for their courage, others for their skill. Still others were celebrated for their esprit de corps, or their “stoutheartedness”. One tribe’s commendation stands out, distinct among them all. Displaying a particularly prophetic bent, v. 32 says the sons of Issachar “kept up-to-date in their understanding of the times and knew what Israel should do”. If I was King David, I’d have made sure some of these guys were among my closest advisors! Success or defeat in battle depended on it. 

We have clocks conveniently placed throughout our home. When we know the hour, the kids are not late for school, and the girls all know when to get ready to go out for the evening and make themselves beautiful. The guys don’t get to the basketball match and find the court cleared of everyone except the janitor. Timing matters. 

Raised in an agrarian society, being unaware of the season is a recipe for disaster. You can’t plant your seed in the Winter or gather a harvest in Spring. I remember times being mobilized to urgently cover our gardens with tarps under the threat of an early frost that would result in the tomato, zucchini, and cucumber crops being destroyed. There were also times we labored tirelessly to gather as many veggies as we could before the darkness consumed us. 

These images—having our weapons or sickles at the ready—serve as natural reminders of a spiritual principle: we must cry out to God for discernment to know the times and seasons of our spiritual journey. Sometimes we are called to wait; at other times we need to put on our running shoes. When the fields of souls are white unto harvest, we don’t want to think it’s still four months from now. When Holy Spirit gives the green light, may we never be caught asleep at the wheel. 

Sadly, this was the case for most of the Jews in the days of Jesus. They missed the time of their visitation. Beloved, let us be warned!

Without a doubt, another day of visitation is immanent. The hands of God’s clock are clicking towards an hour when the alarm of revival will sound. Some will hear it, and some will not. Some will be prepared; others will be caught unaware because they are distracted and entangled with other things. Some will hear the heartbeat of their Lover at the door and stay vigilant; others will have grown tired due to frivolous or imprudent pursuits, and slumber. 

God, raise us up like sons of Issachar in this hour. It is late. We know that God is going to move; Lord, show us when. Help us discern Your seasons and understand the circled dates on Your calendar that we might truly live by, and keep in step with, Your Spirit. 

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near…” Is 55:6

“Do not forget to entertain strangers…Remember the prisoners as if chained with them.” Heb 13:2-3

The Church of Jesus Christ has always stood head and shoulders above every other institution as excelling in generosity. From its infancy when believers sold their possessions to assure that not a single member of their community would be in need, to the present when this year the American church will donate a whopping $150 Billion, Christians have always been hilarious givers. It’s no wonder. Those who are bighearted have discovered a hidden source of joy—God says He loves those who love to give (2 Cor 9:7).

It’s not just about dollars either. Our benevolence is expressed in so many ways. A disciple named Judas (Act 9:11) opened his home on Straight St in Damascus to the very man who was en route from Jerusalem to drag him and fellow believers ruthlessly to prison. Yet another, saved only a few hours, harbored and nursed bloodied Paul and fellow prisoners at his home in the middle of the night, then served them all a meal. As the guard of the prison, he knew it could cost him his life. He did it anyway (Act 16:33-34).

Jason was a new believer of not more than a few weeks when he sheltered Paul in his home even as the authorities were seeking to brutally arrest him for preaching the gospel (Act 17:5-9). When they did not find Paul, Jason faced the brunt of an angry mob and vile authorities in his place. He knew the risks! Heb 10:32-34 affirms this attitude was common, stating that the early Christians had their properties plundered because they stood in solidarity with those who were being cruelly persecuted for Christ. Scripture says they accepted mistreatment joyfully. Wow!

These virtuous displays have continued to the present. Far and away, Christian charities are the world’s most generous and active, serving people indiscriminately from all faith backgrounds and irrespective of political affiliation or race. My daughter Anna and her husband Nate (both doctors) are soon bringing four of their kids to Egypt for five weeks to volunteer at a medical mission there. Many of us have done similar things, and count these times among the most cherished of all our life’s experiences.

Christians’ response to the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 was so impactful (many stayed for months—even years—others typically lingered for days), that the Communist mayor of Chengdu gathered dozens of House Church leaders to recognize their contribution and personally thank them. When the tsunami destroyed huge swaths of Aceh, Indonesia and other regions in 2004, again, the altruism and roll-up-your-sleeves approach of the Christians from around the world far outshone all other agencies, and brought great honor to the Name of Christ.

Beloved, when we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are instantly and forever transformed. The Father’s heart in us begins to compel us to selfless acts of kindness. It is not just what we are supposed to do; it is who we are! We discover faith in Jesus is so much more than a bunch of slogans or lofty ideals. By nature —and fanned into flame as we consider the nail-scarred Savior’s sacrifice for us—we embody the code that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive (Act 20:35).

At His bidding, we open our wallets, our hands, and our homes. When called upon, we go to the ends of the earth, or lay down our lives. We’re not perfect (yet!), but by any standard, the Bride of Christ sure is a beautiful thing to behold.