THINK THINGS THROUGH, THEN FOLLOW THROUGH* -- Devotional for April 28, from "Good Seeds"

Now these are the numbers of the divisions of men equipped for war who came to David…Of the sons of Issachar, two hundred chiefs, with all their kinsmen, men who understood the times and the seasons, with knowledge of what Israel should do. (I Chronicles 12:323)

All twelve Jewish tribes sent their best men to their new king at his field headquarters in Hebron, to become a unified and powerful new army of Israelites. As they gathered for training and instructions, a census was taken. Of the other tribes the greatest support was 120,000 men, while the least was 3000, from the tribe of Benjamin -- that small number due to some continued allegiance to their fallen King Saul, a Benjamite. But no doubt a smaller group yet was the contingency from the tribe of Issachar. We don’t know their exact number, as it just says, “200 officers plus their kinsmen.” But a careful reading of the text reveals a subtle shift in emphasis from quantity to quality. Isn’t that always God’s way? (compare Issachar’s 200 to Gideon’s 300 – see April 24). The other tribes boasted: mighty men of valor; equipped for war; masters in battle formation; skillful in the wielding of spear and shield and other war weapons. What does it say about the men of Issachar? They had the two greatest weapons of all: First, Knowledge: These men didn’t just know how to fight, they knew how to think! They were not just warriors, they were students! What about you and me, as daily we go to battle against sin and Satan? We dare not just go out aimlessly slashing for Jesus. He expects us, and equips us, to use our heads, and that means constantly exposing ourselves to truth and information. Read good books (starting with the GOOD BOOK), listen to good sermons, and spend time hanging around smart and spiritual people. We must first be students of God and His ways, but we must also study our enemy, for we must not be “ignorant of his devices.” Second, Wisdom: the application of knowledge to life situations. Knowledge tells us what to think; wisdom tells us what to do. Ideas have a short shelf life - they must be acted upon before the expiration date! Issachar’s men seemed to know just what to do, and then did it. What about us? Are we aware of what’s happening in the world around us, in light of God’s Word within us? And do we have the courage, after thinking things through, to follow through, with decisive action?

*Eddie Rickenbacher’s six word formula for success