In I Chronicles 12:32 we learn of certain men who “understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do…” They were able to assess the times and conditions facing Israel and offer words of true wisdom and counsel. Where are those “sons of Issachar” today?

What times these are in which we live, times known for many things: uncertainty, ideological worlds in blatant contrast, violence, tension. Call it what we will, the truth is that the world seems to be split down the middle on just about every issue that comes before it.

Some believers are convinced that things are so bad now that Jesus must be coming back very, very soon. I’m not so sure; and even if He is I pray He might tarry a bit longer because the world is in desperate need of His grace.

Be that as it may, in I Thessalonians Paul says, “as to the times and the epochs …let us be alert and sober” (vs. 1, 6). We don’t know when Jesus is coming back, just that He is coming back. This should not frighten us or destabilize our lives. In fact, Paul said of this upcoming and certain event, “Encourage one another and build up one another…” (vs. 11).

Don’t be lulled to sleep or overly preoccupied with when Jesus might come back. Just know that He is, and then go about your life as sons and daughters “of light” (vs. 6). Live and move and have your being in the Lordship of Jesus, having “put on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet, the hope of salvation” (vs. 8).

What do we have to say to a stressed out world? We say, “Jesus.” We live the life of faith and hope and love, leaning on the One who is Lord of heaven and earth. We live for the One who died for us” (vs.10). So, be alert and sober, and encourage one another” (vs. 6, 11). It is a great time to be alive for Christ.