Understanding the Times      

   Prior to the election, we searched sermons by Kent Christmas, pastor of Solid Rock Church. He has a prophecy - a final outpouring of the Holy Spirit, beginning this January and into 2024.  

   If the pastor truly heard from the Spirit, we wondered, how might this foretell our election? Trump wins: the Spirit is welcome. If Democrats take control, God more likely will touch unchurched people, we assumed, without our political help. 

   About 473 B.C., the Persian Empire of 127 provinces stretched from India to ancient Ethiopia. Xerxes, the king, held a seven-day banquet to celebrate his splendor. His beautiful queen, Vashti, also gave a banquet for women in the royal palace. 

   When the king ordered her to appear (show her off) before the men, she refused. (the world's first feminist?) Her angry husband consulted wise men who understood the times. Esther 1:13 

Commentary: God has a season and time for his purposes and promises. We see this in nature, and also in his kingdom: 

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. Eccl. 3:1-8

O Lord, sit enthroned forever; ...the appointed time has come. Ps. 102:12-13

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19 

Those who supported King David included men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do... 1 Chron. 12:32 

   God's people often are blind to what He is doing or about to do. Judea didn't recognize the Son whom God sent to redeem us. Likewise, too often the church doesn't discern when God is fulfilling an aspect of his purpose. To know is to cooperate. 

   Do we discern the times?   

        Jimmy