LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE HERE OR READ BELOW

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who always know what time it is, and those who are perpetually asking, “What time is it?”

Then there are those of us who check the clock, check it again five minutes later, and somehow still feel like we've been robbed of an hour.

But knowing the time on your watch isn't the same as “knowing the times” Scripture is talking about.

The sons of Issachar had something far more valuable. They understood the season.

First Chronicles 12:32 says:

“...of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...”

In other words, they didn't just know what was happening. They knew what to do about it. After all, isn’t that our goal too?

Some of us are extremely gifted at identifying problems. We can diagnose the problem. Analyze the problem. Discuss the problem. Call three friends about the problem. Post about the problem. Lastly, we pray, “Lord, what are You going to do about this?”

Meanwhile, God may be saying:

“I was hoping you would ask Me what YOU are supposed to do.”

Perhaps we need to ask a more uncomfortable question: Why does the Church sometimes lack discernment?

Could it be that we haven't been taught to seek the deeper things of God?

Jesus said in Matthew 13:11, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you,”

Friend, there are depths in God that cannot be discovered through a quick devotional, a Sunday sermon, or a five-minute inspirational video. Yet sometimes we want the microwave version of Christianity.

“Lord, give me Your wisdom….and would you give it to me now?!”

The problem is that we want the revelation without the pursuit. We want the answer without the searching. Or we want the mystery without the digging.

But Scripture invites us deeper.

Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.”

Perhaps some of the things we easily blame on God like,“God hasn't shown me yet” are actually things He is inviting us to search out.

Another reason discernment can be lacking is because there are those who become dependent upon someone else to hear God for them.

They run to the prophet and ask,

“Tell me what God is saying.”

“Tell me what season I'm in.”

“Tell me whether I should take the job.”

“Tell me whether I should move.”

“Tell me who I'm supposed to marry.”

And somewhere along the way, we can become so accustomed to receiving someone else's revelation that we stop developing our own relationship with the One who gives revelation.

Now, prophets spiritual leaders and wise counsel all have their place anchored in the scriptures. However, no human being was designed to replace the Holy Spirit or the Word of God in your life. There comes a point when we have to stop asking everybody else what God is saying and learn to seek Him out ourselves.

And that leads to another uncomfortable possibility: Maybe we've simply become lazy with the Word.

Let's be honest. Many of us will spend twenty minutes scrolling through social media looking for something interesting, but opening the Bible suddenly feels like a major spiritual assignment. Some will read the comments, the captions, and the reviews to see what everyone else has to say about an issue. However, ask them to study Scripture for themselves and suddenly they are exhausted or incapable. They are the ones who reply,

“Lord, I'm just going to trust You for a word today.”

And God may lovingly respond: “I already gave you one.”

The Word of God is not merely a collection of comforting verses for difficult days. It teaches us God's character, His ways, His truth, His wisdom, and His standards.

Discernment grows when we know the voice and the Word of the One we are trying to follow. Issachar represents a people who could discern the moment and respond appropriately. They understood that there are seasons to wait. There are seasons to move. There are seasons to build, sow, prune, rest, prepare, and finally reap. And here's something we don't always like to hear:

A strategy that worked yesterday may not be God's strategy for today.

Sometimes we keep trying to recreate an old victory instead of receiving fresh instruction. It's like using a map from 1901 and getting frustrated because the road isn't where the map says it is. You can argue with the map all day. However, the road has still changed.

What is needed so desperately is fresh wisdom.

In my book How To Snatch Them From the Fire, I share an unusual experience from when I was a young woman. God was leading me to visit a woman in our neighborhood and share Jesus with her. When I approached her door, she shouted that if I was a Christian, she didn't want me there.

I tried again the following week and reaped the same response. Somewhat confused, I asked my pastor about it and he insisted on coming with me the next time I went. As we approached the door, the same warning came from inside: “If you are Christians, leave, I do not want you here.”

What shocked me the most was not what the woman said but how my pastor responded. He said next, “Alright then, go to hell.” I was in dismay at what came out of his mouth, but immediately as we turned to walk back to our vehicles, we heard the ladies door come open. She invited us in and that night she was born again!

Now, before anyone turns that story into a new evangelism method, please don't. That isn't the point. The point is that discernment requires hearing God for yourself and knowing how to respond in the moment.

Issachar understood the times. They didn't merely collect information. They knew what to do. Jacob described Issachar as a strong donkey carrying a burden in Genesis 49:14–15.

Let's be honest. if God were handing out prophetic descriptions today, most of us would prefer:

“A majestic eagle soaring above the mountains.”

“Strong donkey” doesn't exactly scream inspirational wall art. But Issachar had strength to carry what had been assigned to them. They understood the season, and they were willing to work.

Sometimes God gives you the blueprint and then hands you a hammer. Sometimes the miracle looks suspiciously like obedience, discipline, and showing up again tomorrow. So perhaps the question isn't simply, “Do I have discernment?”

Perhaps the deeper question is,

“Am I seeking God deeply enough to recognize His voice?”

Am I reading His Word enough to recognize what agrees with His character?

Have I become dependent upon someone else to tell me what God is saying because I haven't taken the time to seek Him myself?

And perhaps most importantly:

Do I actually want God's direction, or do I simply want Him to confirm what I've already decided to do?

That's a heart-searching question. What we must realize is that discernment isn't given so we can sound spiritual. It is given so we can walk wisely. We need an Issachar Church today! A people who are discerning, prophetic, wise, courageous, biblically grounded, and willing to work.

What we do not need is a people constantly running from one prophetic word to another. Nor do we need a people who are searching for a sign every fifteen minutes. Neither do we need a people who know every Christian influencer but barely know their Bible.

We need a people who search the Scriptures, seek the Lord, listen for His voice, test what they hear, and obey what He reveals. So before you rush into your next decision, take a breath. Put down your phone. Turn down the noise. Open your Bible.

And ask:

“Lord, what time is it—and what am I supposed to do?”

Because knowing the time is good. Knowing what to do with the time is wisdom.

The Issachar anointing is about knowing the times and the seasons, and then knowing what to do about them. Once we understand the time and the season, we don't have to be afraid of what comes next. We can slow down enough to listen. We can become still enough to see, and trust God enough to obey.

Because perhaps understanding the times isn't about having every answer. Perhaps it is simply knowing the very One who holds the times in His hands. You don't have to see the whole road. You don't have to understand every turn. You don't have to know what tomorrow will bring. This is where many fail.

You only need enough light for the step God is asking you to take today.

So breathe. Be still. Listen. And even though the season has changed—God will never change.

The times may be shifting.
The world may be shaking.
The future may be uncertain.

But the One who holds your future is able and capable of holding you too. When you know His voice, you can walk peacefully into a season you have never seen before. It is then that you will be able to discern the season, trust the Shepherd, and take the next step all while leaving every care, every burden, and every concern at the feet of Jesus.

Selah.

#Issachar #UnderstandingTheTimes #PropheticWisdom #DivineStrategy #Discernment #KnowWhatToDo #FaithAndWisdom #SelahAndPsams #Christian Podcast #ChristianBlog

How To Snatch Them From The Fire

A bold and practical guide to soul-winning that equips believers to share the Gospel with confidence, compassion, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

How far would you go to rescue a soul? Every day, people all around us are searching—lost, hurting, and in need of truth. Yet many believers feel unprepared, uncertain, or even afraid to share their faith. In "How To Snatch Them From The Fire," Evangelist Jane E. Morin delivers a bold, Scripture-driven call to action for every believer who knows they were meant for more.

This is not just a book—it is a wake-up call. With powerful biblical insight and real-life evangelism encounters, Jane equips you to:

• Overcome fear and step into boldness

• Clearly communicate the Gospel with confidence

• Recognize divine opportunities in everyday life

• Engage unbelievers with compassion and truth

• Trust the Holy Spirit to lead every conversation

Through personal stories, practical tools, and Spirit-led encouragement, you will discover that soul-winning is not reserved for a select few—it is the calling of every believer.

The mission is urgent. The harvest is ready. And the time to go is now

Will you answer the call?

Connect

Join our community for weekly encouragement.

Contact: info@selahandpsalms.com

Selah & Psalms is a ministry that encourages, equips,and informs others of the deeper truths of Gods word. It is also a ministry of Revive The Fire! If you enjoy content like this, will you consider supporting our efforts? Thank you!

© 2026. All rights reserved.

SIGN UP for our WEEKLY EMAIL that includes hope-filled reflections, bible teachings, events and more!