TEMPERATURE OF OUR TIMES

Have you taken the temperature of our world, lately? It seems to be running feverishly with controversy and conflict. Everyone has an opinion and wants to prove themselves right and persuade others to think like they do. I firmly believe that only God is perfectly right-eous. I believe that only His standards of righteousness will stand the test of time. I came across this great verse in 1 Chronicles 12:32 in the NLT(1996). I use The One Year Bible published by Tyndale House Publishers to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelations every year. I confess that the excitement level while reading this section is low. However, verse 32 gave me pause when I read it. All the tribes of Israel are sending representatives to support David as their new king. It says, “From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.” I am impressed with these men. Understanding “…the temper of the times” takes wisdom.  Knowing “…the best course…to take” means these were men of foresight and men ready to advise the new king about the way in which his kingdom should go.

I am not an advisor to anyone in power.  I do not influence kings, but God can help me gain wisdom and foresight to make the tough decisions that I face daily. I long to be aware of the events of my world, so that I can participate in it in such a way that I make the truth of the love and righteousness of God relevant to those searching for solutions. I do not want to be a gossip monger or a rabble rouser. I want to see world events through eyes eager to see what God is doing in my day, so that I can be a willing participant in His plan to draw all men to Him.

Dear Lord, Wise and Omnipotent One, I praise You for placing me in this time. I do not yet know what purposes You have for my tomorrows, but I know that Your purposes are always for my good and for Your glory. May I be aware of how You are at work in the world today. Help me to not bury my head in the sand, but to be a conduit of Your hope and peace in a world that traffics in chaos. Teach me how to represent You without apology. Please make me capable of knowing the course to take in these times; to be informed, and willing to be used by You to share Your transforming power. I don’t always know what that will look like ahead of time, but I ask You to help me to understand and know Your will for me in this day. I make myself available for Your purposes. Show me how to emulate Your ways, Lord, and teach me to walk along Your paths. Reveal Your truths to me and teach me how to use them to guide me as I go along. You are my Savior, and I place my hope in You each and every day. May Your will be done in this world and in my life today. Use me to shine the light of Your love into any hearts I meet that tremble in the darkness of despair. Help me to be more concerned with doing what is right in Your sight, than proving that my opinions are more right than anyone else’s. Give me compassion to love others from my heart, even when I don’t agree with them. May Your unfailing love flow through me in a living current that demonstrates how long and high and far and wide is Your love. It truly is immeasurable. It is available to all who will accept Your invitation to believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ, as their Savior and Lord. It has the power to transform each and every one of us into people who are known by their love. Make that so of me, I pray!

Prayerfully Yours!

Terry Cotner