“And of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs and all their kinsmen were under their command” 1 Chr.12:32 (Amp)
Have you heard of the awfully true statement that “Yesterday’s revolutionaries more often than not become today’s reactionaries”? Well, how about this other statement – “Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come”? The first implication of the two statements above is that nature abhors a vacuum, while the second is that change is inevitable, especially a God-ordained change. The only problem is that human beings tend to be circumspect with regards to change because of the underlying uncertainties involved and so often need persuasion – God’s carrot and stick – in order for change to be realised. This means that, with very few exceptions, an individual will tend to either accept or resist change depending on whether he feels that change is beneficial or detrimental to his interest. We typically always look out for number one.
Since the bible already assures us that God’s plan for us is good, it means that change that originates from Him often tend to benefit us in the long term and when viewed from the larger kingdom perspective, it tends to be in His kingdom interest, of which we are only a tiny, but significant part. So, how does God often move us from our natural inclination to resist change to accept it? It is by giving us spiritual insight into His plans and thus enabling us to see what He already sees as well as how it would benefit us. That enlightened self-interest becomes our motivation to cooperate with and ultimately benefit from God’s plan.
So, why do people often take the King Canute approach and so resist God? According to legend, King Canute was the Viking king of England who tried to resist the tide and failed. People often resist change simply because they lack insight into God’s plan as well as how it would benefit them. It is said that those who pray for revival often turn out to resist it when it manifests. This is because the way God often moves in response to our prayers sometimes negates our preconceptions, leading us to resist that which we do not understand. So, the best prayer in such uncertain period is to earnestly ask – God, are you in this? Since jumping to the wrong conclusion might turn us into resistors as opposed to facilitators, which is what we all desire to be.
The men of Issachar had the spiritual ability to analyse trends and so act appropriately in any situation – spiritual, political, military etc. The implication is that they were always on God’s side. They always moved with the flow of God’s river and as a result tended to reap His blessings. They always knew exactly what Israel ought to do and did their best so that God’s will can become a reality. The greatest need of the hour in the Church is for men and women gifted with spiritual insight to direct her affairs. However, it begins with you as an individual asking God for spiritual insight first for your life and then for others and you will sooner rather than later become an integral part of God’s winning team for the end times. Hence, pray for spiritual insight to recognise what God is doing and get plugged-in into the mother of all spiritual moves.
Prayer:
Lord, my security lies in moving in step with you. Open my eyes and enable me to see you when you do move. Overcome all resistance in me so that I can happily love what you love. Help me to know what I should be doing to facilitate your move in my time and cause your glory to shine upon me in Jesus name. Amen.