The Truth is the Light
By: Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., Senior Columnist
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment”
The duty of prophetic discernment is a critical one particularly in light of the ever-changing fabric of our society. It is imperative that someone have an understanding of the times in order to provide appropriate suggestions for what we should do in each situation we encounter. In our text we find a group of men assigned to that very important task. These men were assembled as part of the gathering to designate David king of Israel. To these men was assigned the important task of observation. They were to listen with their spiritual ears discerning the will of God for His people at any given period of time. These men, the Bible tells us, were descendants of Issachar, the son of Jacob and Leah and were bold, uncompromising and unwavering men.
As I grew into manhood, I was taught to look to spiritually discerning older men. I was encouraged to rely on the spiritual direction of godly men. These carefully chosen men, who understood the times, would become the role-models and father figures who counseled me in the direction I should take, and the things I should do in my life. They became essentially the “Issachar men” in my life. When I heeded their counsel, I was able to avoid many of the pitfalls and dangers that life would present. I was able to side-step many of the expensive life lessons that exact such a heavy price in the lives of our young men today.
It is very unfortunate that so many young men today seem to have broken all contact with God and no longer look to spiritually discerning older men as role models. Lamentably, there is a new generation of young men who have elected to be molded instead by the ungodly sports and entertainment influence. This unsavory influence has led the spirits of our young men, particularly during their most formative years, to flounder mired in profanity, adultery, and other debasing sins that so easily beset them.
Our grandfathers and our fathers’ generations of men looked up to the positive influences provided by the doctors, lawyers, federal and state leaders that spoke of the advancement of our people and the strengthening of our family structure. It seems today that our young men are more intent to follow the destructive lead of the doctors, slixters and dogs of rap and the unrestrained money driven exploits of first-time millionaire athletes.
The results of the insalubrious life modeling can be found in the drastic change in what we consider entertaining. The movies we flock to see promote vile profanity. Our basement house parties once included the Twist, hand dancing and dancing “cheek to cheek.” Unfortunately, no longer does it appear safe to host a basement house party. However, before the drama sets off the dance moves are much more provocative.
God would have us to know that all is not lost. There are still some good men around! Spiritual men are still available in our communities to offer a new direction and a new purpose for our susceptible young people. There are some of God’s “Issachar Men” around who will step up to the plate and serve as positive interpreters of life. God still looks to these spiritually sound men to help young men to understand and interpret our changing times.
God is calling for Christian men to be spiritual fathers. God challenges spiritually discerning men to give right counsel to those who seek it. God is seeking the “Issachar men” of His church, calling for them to stand up and be counted. The church needs men who will direct God’s people as leaders of His Kingdom. The church and community desperately need men who will minister to the impressionable with the intensity of God’s spirit. There is a critical need for men who will stand up and powerfully address the concerns we face with an enthusiasm that is generated by the excellence of their own spiritual training. We are blessed to be a blessing.
The Bible is rife with men who have served in this army for the Lord. However, because the price a man must pay to walk in these ranks is considerable, traditionally God has drafted men for this duty. Scripture confirms that men God called upon have not only talked the talk but walked the walk. The men who God has enlisted for this service have proven to be veterans of spiritual warfare who bear the marks on their souls.
God enlists men who have been inspired and are ready to inspire others. God’s army includes the men that have fought the good fight, who have finished the course and kept the faith. These are the men God can trust to offer good counsel, moral integrity, and spiritual fortitude to the mighty young men of God today. God enlists men who will use what they have been taught in the temple to teach others. God intends that these spiritually mature men who have been blessed with the gift to discern the times will rise to help others.
There is much work to be done and there is absolutely no time to waste. Our young men are in desperate need of spiritual mentoring and counseling. They are in grave need of intervention and for God’s men to steer them in the right direction. Jesus said, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” We see the signs daily warning us that a generation of our young men may have already been lost to Satan and his tactics. We can not ignore the cries for help from the next generation!
God is calling for “Issachar Men.” God is calling us to battle! God is seeking reliable, valiant, brave and bold men. We are challenged to rise up in these sensitive times to embrace our youth and strengthen them with the Word of God. God is calling for us to offer healing to the hurting and direction to the misguided. We must boldly stand against the gates of hell with force and commitment. We must be steadfast, refusing to succumb to Satan’s tyranny and remain devoted to the guiding principles of God.
Men of God we are being called to battle. We are God’s trumpets for this new millennium. But the Bible warns us, “For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”(1 Corinthians 14:8) Although the Apostle Paul is referring to the ineffectiveness of speaking in strange tongues to the unsaved, this is a warning for the “called of God” to make certain that our “trumpets” sound a message that is clearly understood. Men we are warned that God has sounded the call to arms. He has issued a challenge to us to carry the right message to our youth. We are to carry a message of repentance, salvation, sanctification and of spiritual survival.
We are men of God, “Issachar men” and the Bible declares that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Cor. 10:4) God wants us to understand that it is time for “Issachar men” to proclaim what the saints of God “ought to do.” What we “ought to do” is stand up for God and against those who mock the miracles of God and disclaim the goodness of God. We must use the weapons at our disposal to teach our youth that those who trust in God must stand against the enemy.
When we rise as “Issachar Men” our young people will see that no adversity will cause us to panic, and no disappointments will incite us to worry. The passion and enthusiasm of our service will be driven by our love for Jesus and the promise of His coming again.
This Father’s Day is an opportune time for us to ask ourselves, “Are we Issachar men?” Will we stand on God’s Word trusting that it is indeed the only truth worth defending today? Will we boldly teach our young men that Jesus is answer to their questions and the solution for their problems? Will we confidently affirm by our talk and our walk that Jesus will satisfy all that man hungers for? Will we stand as positive examples, godly in our character, faithful in our commitment and pure in our motives modeling for this present age the visible evidence of the invisible work of God’s grace?
The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of James Chapel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C.
