In recent weeks, there’s been mention of a new season that’s coming upon the church. I just returned from a short trip to the Northeastern part of the United States. The winter months are now giving way to the predictable new season of Spring. In the natural, this change of season is fairly easy to predict, but what about the times and seasons of God? Are we sensing, preparing and flowing with what God’s doing?
The account of David at Ziklag has recently captured my attention. David and his men were at a very low point having lost their families and possessions; yet, David kept pressing onwards. Think about this – David was anointed to be king in his early teen years. Approximately 12 years have transpired since his first anointing in the lead-up to Ziklag. How’d you feel with 12 years of unrealised promises while trying just to survive? David encouraged his soul while in distress, in addition to enquiring of the Lord as to what he should do (1 Sam 30:6-7).
Herein is a key for us – David continued to enquire of the Lord. It was not just David, but also his men that recognised a changing of the seasons. The sons of Issachar along with the other tribes joined David in a unity that was not seen before; they discerned the times and seasons and learned to flow with David so as to take full advantage of this narrow window of opportunity.
There’s something happening in the Spirit; do you feel and sense it? To better equate this truth, I’d like to refer to a song that was sung during the Charismatic Movement entitled, “Behold I will do a New Thing”, taken from Ps 43:19. There are four primary points to this verse and song and they’re listed below to serve as a guide and encouragement.
1) Behold I will do a new thing – It’s a statement that signifies God being on the move. There’s no denying that God’s the One who introduced seasons of “new wine” at unique junctures in Church history. Do we have the Galilean qualities of adapting to the move and flow of God’s Spirit or do we stay within the damaging confines of old wineskins (Matt 9:14-17)?
2) Now it shall spring forth – There’s urgency in that statement. Not next year, next month, but NOW! Remember that “one day” of opportunity that was presented to Israel to possess the land? Caleb and Joshua discerned and aligned with God’s agenda, while Israel missed their opportunity (Num 13:30-31). Today, if you’ll hear His voice (Ps 95:7).
3) Shall ye not know it? – There’s a strong appeal to be able to discern that new thing and season. Are we alert and vigilant or asleep in an anaesthetised state? Jesus clearly spoke of the ability to observe and discern signs concerning events surrounding the last days. It’s imperative to have an intimate and Word-based relationship with God in this crucial hour to help ensure that we’re in alignment with His purposes.
4) I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert – These are beautiful promises that God holds before the Church today. Are you currently undergoing an impossible crisis where there seems to be no hope or way out? Does your spiritual life resemble a dry and thirsty land? Be encouraged, because the winter is passing and life to the Body of Christ is again being restored.
When David lost everything at Ziklag, he didn’t give up. Like David, we must not subscribe to the resignation mentality that’s besieging many churches today and often results in compromise and a weakened Church. It’s time to take God at His Word while making continual enquiry, without presumption in knowing how to proceed.
There was something contagious about David’s courage and resilience which sparked faith and loyalty in his men. May God grant that we be modern-day sons of Issachar and Zebulon (1 Chron 12:32-33) who had ability to discern the times and unite as a fighting army. Their example helped to inspire others to align with David as he made his approach to Zion.
The 25 years of frustration in fleeing from Saul was about to end. David was about to experience a new season of breakthroughs and authority. Do you sense a similar stirring today? Let not the season of former things hold you back, but rather may it serve as a catalyst to embrace this new season of breakthroughs (Isa 43:18-19)!
