Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command. I Chronicles 12:32 REFERENCE I Chronicles 12:23&32 David indeed was a blessed man. This becomes more evident as we look at the quality of men that came to him. The tribe of Issachar contributed something remarkable – an understanding of the times. Life happens in cycles and seasons, and there is a right time for all that pertains to a man’s life and purpose. Missing the ‘right time’ for...

“Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: “We are yours, O David; we are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers!” – I Chronicles 12:18   REFERENCE I Chronicles 12:4, 16-22 & 35   For someone to be a true partner in purpose, their loyalty must not be in question. It is good to know that you have people you can depend on, who are truly on your side and would not stab you while your back is turned to them. David had to ask the people that came to him if they were loyal...

“Of the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh…one hundred and twenty thousand armed for battle with every kind of weapon of war.” - I Chronicles 12:37   REFERENCE I Chronicles 12:8-15 & 37 A close look at the quality of men that God brought to David as his partners in purpose (to help his progress from being a fugitive to a crowned king) reveals unique gifts. Interestingly, they came from the different tribes of Israel to partner with David – it didn’t matter that he was from the tribe of Judah. True helpers don’t get caught up in your nativity...

“Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war.” – I Chronicles 12:1   REFERENCE I Chronicles 12:1-40   David was a man after God’s heart, the shepherd boy who killed a lion and a bear, who by unconventional means, killed a mountain of a man – Goliath of Gath. At this point in his life, he had been anointed by God to reign as king over Israel, he had a vision and a mission,...

“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work…”  Exodus 20:9-10   REFERENCE Exodus 20:8-11   We hear our topic today and our minds quickly go to the 10 commandments – the law of Moses. However, within it is a wisdom that God has packaged for man’s benefit for as long as he exists on the earth. Remember the Sabbath! Remember? I believe we are asked to remember because it is very easy to forget it and the purpose for which God...

And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. - Mark 6:31 REFERENCE Mark 6:30-32 Your physical body is like the horse that your spirit rides upon to do the will and the work of God while you are here on earth. If the ‘horse’ becomes tired, weak or sick, then, no matter how willing, enthusiastic or vibrant your spirit is, it will be limited. It is difficult to serve God or accomplish your purpose with a worn out,...

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead. (Is it not in Rabbah of the people of Ammon?) Nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width, according to the standard cubit. - Deuteronomy 3:11 ( NKJV)   REFERENCE Deuteronomy 3:1-11   Here we are introduced to a man, a giant of a man, a king called Og. Israel, in her military expedition had just defeated him, taken his land, and referred to him as a descendant of the giants. How tall was he? Well, we don’t...

I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O Lord make me dwell safely. - Psalm 4:8    REFERENCE Psalm 4:1-8   What a beautiful picture the psalmist paints here of lying down in peace to sleep! In our world of increasing hustle and bustle, high dependence on phones, tablets and laptops, deadlines to meet at work, bills to pay, business targets to exceed, salaries to pay, appointments to keep and lots more, sweet sleep has become a rare commodity. A lot of people are stressed over many things; young people now die of cardiac arrest,...