Today's Devotion
Tuesday May 5, 2026
INTERESTING FACTS : ALEXANDER HAMILTON, REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
FOLLOWING HIS DUEL WITH AARON BURR, IN THOSE FINAL TWENTY-FOUR HOURS WHILE LIFE STILL REMAINED IN HIM, HAMILTON CALLED FOR TWO MINISTERS, THE REV. J. M. MASON AND THE REV. BENJAMIN MOORE, TO PRAY WITH HIM AND ADMINISTER COMMUNION TO HIM. EACH OF THOSE TWO MINISTERS REPORTED WHAT TRANSPIRED. THE REV. MASON RECOUNTED:
[GENERAL HAMILTON SAID] "I WENT TO THE FIELD DETERMINED NOT TO TAKE HIS LIFE." HE REPEATED HIS DISAVOWAL OF ALL INTENTION TO HURT MR. BURR; THE ANGUISH OF HIS MIND IN RECOLLECTING WHAT HAD PASSED; AND HIS HUMBLE HOPE OF FORGIVENESS FROM HIS GOD. I RECURRED TO THE TOPIC OF THE DIVINE COMPASSION; THE FREEDOM OF PARDON IN THE REDEEMER JESUS TO PERISHING SINNERS. "THAT GRACE, MY DEAR GENERAL, WHICH BRINGS SALVATION, IS RICH, RICH" - "YES," INTERRUPTED HE, "IT IS RICH GRACE." "AND ON THAT GRACE," CONTINUED I, "A SINNER HAS THE HIGHEST ENCOURAGEMENT TO REPOSE HIS CONFIDENCE, BECAUSE IT IS TENDERED TO HIM UPON THE SUREST FOUNDATION; THE SCRIPTURE TESTIFYING THAT WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE RICHNESS OF HIS GRACE." HERE THE GENERAL, LETTING GO MY HAND, WHICH HE HAD HELD FROM THE MOMENT I SAT DOWN AT HIS BED SIDE, CLASPED HIS HANDS TOGETHER, AND, LOOKING UP TOWARDS HEAVEN, SAID, WITH EMPHASIS, "I HAVE A TENDER RELIANCE ON THE MERCY OF THE ALMIGHTY, THROUGH THE MERITS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST."
DAILY READING : 1 CHRONICLES 12 - 14
TEXT : 1Ch 12:32 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. 1Ch 12:33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
THEME : WISDOM
It is not until we read of David as king of Israel do the Scriptures in 1st Chronicles begin to open up in a more detailed fashion. Further, we see the value of multiple accounts of Biblical principles or characters as we observe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus life and work is told in four complimentary accounts of His life where details omitted in one report is furnished in the other. Thus, it pleased God to use men to fulfill His own law - "by the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established." The usefulness of composite versions of Biblical history then, is the supply of more facts, features, and specifics of what God wants us to know.
The greater part of 1st Chronicles concerns the life of David as king of Israel. Hence, we receive further elucidation, clarification, and illumination on his life. At least from the time he became king. Albert Barnes tells us -
This chapter is composed wholly of matter that is new to us, no corresponding accounts occurring in Samuel. It comprises four lists:
(1) One of men, chiefly Benjamites, who joined David at Ziklag 1Ch_12:1-7;
(2) A second of Gadites who united themselves to him when he was in a stronghold near the desert 1Ch_12:8-15;
(3) A third of Manassites who came to him when he was dismissed by the Philistines upon suspicion 1Ch_12:19-22; and
(4) A fourth of the numbers from the different tribes who attended and made him king at Hebron 1 Chr. 12:23-40.
Thus, Mathew Henry gives us some application of this chapter.
"Here is an account of those who appeared and acted as David's friends, while he was persecuted. No difficulties or dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior, nor drive the believer from the path of duty. Those who break through, and overcome in these attempts, will find abundant recompence. From the words of Amasai we may learn how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus; his we must be throughly; on his side we must be forward to appear and act. If we are under the influence of the Spirit, we shall desire to have our lot among them, and to declare ourselves on their side; if in faith and love we embrace the cause of Christ, he will receive, employ, and advance us."
TRUTH FOR TODAY : WE NEED TO BE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE TIMES AND KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Our text states the men of Issachar understood their times and knew what Israel should do. Perhaps there is no other quality worthy of our desire to possess than this one. In particular, we have a great need of this attribute today. Jesus reproved the Pharisees for not having a knowledge of their times, and therefore, not responding properly to His presence among them.
"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" [Mat_16:3]
If Jesus reproved them, it is certain He would exhort or reprove His Church today, particularly His leaders for the same reason. In the face of mounting evidence that Christ will return soon, His Church, or at least those that profess His Name, are living in contradiction to the explicit commands and instruction of those who call Him Lord.
Some believe the men of Issachar were astrologers, who knew what "political" strategies to employ. Such proponents of this view are Albert Barnes, and Adam Clarke.
"Men that had understanding of the times - This is best interpreted politically. Compare the marginal reference" [Albert Barnes]
"Children of Issachar - According to the Targum they were all astronomers and astrologers: "and the sons of Issachar, who had understanding to know the times, and were skilled in fixing the beginnings of years, the commencement of months, and the intercalation of months and years; skillful in the changes of the moon, and in fixing the lunar solemnities to their proper times; skillful also in the doctrine of the solar periods; astrologers in signs and stars, that they might show Israel what to do; and their teachers were two hundred chiefs of the Sanhedrin: and all their brethren excelled in the words of the law, and were endued with wisdom, and were obedient to their command." - T. It appears that in their wisdom, experience, and skill, their brethren had the fullest confidence; and nothing was done but by their direction and advice." [Adam Clarke]
However, the text does not state that specifically. Therefore, we may understand it in another sense. Either way, we can take a lesson from these men in a spiritual, moral, doctrinal, and theological application. In the New Testament, we are repeatedly exhorted and warned how to believe and behave as Christ approaches to judge all men. John Darby enlightens us.
"Now the Son of man, in His day, would be like the lightning: but, before that, He must suffer many things from the unbelieving Jews. The day would be like that of Lot, and that of Noe: men would be at ease, following their carnal occupations, like the world overtaken by the flood, and Sodom by the fire from heaven. It will be the revelation of the Son of man — His public revelation — sudden and vivid. This referred to Jerusalem. Being thus warned, their concern was to escape the judgment of the Son of man which, at the time of His coming, would fall upon the city that had rejected Him; for this Son of man, whom they had disowned, would come again in His glory. There must be no looking back; that would be to have the heart in the place of judgment. Better lose all, life itself, rather than be associated with that which was going to be judged. If they should escape and have their lives spared through unfaithfulness, the judgment was the judgment of God; He would know how to reach them in their bed, and to distinguish between two that were in one bed, and between two women who ground the corn of the household at the same mill.
This character of the judgment shews that it is not the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus that is meant. It was the judgment of God that could discern, take away, and spare. Neither is it the judgment of the dead, but a judgment on earth: they are in bed, they are at the mill, they are on the housetops and in the fields. Warned by the Lord, they were to forsake all, and to care only for Him who came to judge. If they asked where this should be — wherever the dead body lay, there would be the judgment that would come down like a vulture, which they could not see, but from which the prey would not escape."
We are also told -
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
John Darby again explains.
"The Lord's coming again into this world assumes therefore a very different character from that of a vague object of hope to a believer as a period of glory. In Chapter 5 the apostle speaks of it, but in order to distinguish between the position of Christians and that of the careless and unbelieving inhabitants of the earth. The Christian, alive and taught of the Lord, ever expects the Master. There are times and seasons; it is not needful to speak to him concerning them. But (and he knows it) the day of the Lord will come and like a thief in the night, but not for him: he is of the day; he has part in the glory which will appear in order to execute judgment on the unbelieving world. Believers are the children of light; and this light which is the judgment of unbelievers, is the expression of the glory of God — a glory which cannot endure evil, and which, when it shall appear, will banish it from the earth. The Christian is of the day that will judge and destroy the wicked and wickedness itself from off the face of the earth. Christ is the Sun of righteousness, and the faithful will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
The world will say, "Peace and safety," and in all security will believe in the continuance of its prosperity and the success of its designs, and the day will come suddenly upon them. (Compare 2Pe_3:3.) The Lord Himself has often declared it. (Mat_14:36-44; Mar_13:33-36; Luk_12:40, &c.; Luk_17:26, &c.; Luk_21:35, &c.)
It is a very solemn thing to see that the professing church (Rev_3:3) which says that it lives and is in the truth, which has not Thyatira's character of corruption, is yet to be treated as the world — at least, unless it repents.
We may perhaps wonder to find the Lord saying of a time like this, that men's hearts will be failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth. (Luk_21:26) But we see the two principles — both security and fear — already existing. Progress, success, the long continuance of a new development of human nature — this is the language of those who mock at the Lord's coming; and yet beneath it all, what fears for the future are at the same time possessing and weighing down the heart! I use the word "principles," because I do not believe that the moment of which the Lord speaks is yet come. But the shadow of coming events falls upon the heart. Blessed are they that belong to another world!
The apostle applies this difference of position — namely, that we belong to the day, and that it cannot therefore come upon us as a thief — to the character and walk of the Christian. Being a child of the light he is to walk as such. He lives in the clay, though all is night and darkness around him. One does not sleep in the day. They that sleep sleep in the night: they that are drunken are drunken in the night; these are the works of darkness. A Christian, the child of the day, must watch and be sober, clothing himself with all that constitutes the perfection of that mode of being which belongs to his position — namely, with faith and love and hope — principles which impart courage and give him confidence for pressing onwards. He has the breastplate of faith and love; he goes straight forward therefore against the enemy. He has the hope of this glorious salvation, which will bring him entire deliverance, as his helmet; so that he can lift up his head without fear in the midst of danger. We see that the apostle here brings to mind the three great principles of 1 Corinthians 13 to characterise the courage and steadfastness of the Christian, as at the beginning he shewed that they were the mainspring of daily walk.
Faith and love naturally connect us with God, revealed as He is in Jesus as the principle of communion; so that we walk with confidence in Him: His presence gives us strength. By faith He is the glorious object before our eyes. By love He dwells in us, and we realise what He is. Hope fixes our eyes especially on Christ, who is coming to bring us into the enjoyment of glory with Himself.
Consequently the apostle speaks thus: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath " (love is understood by faith, that which God wills — His mind respecting us) "but to obtain salvation." It is this which we hope for; and he speaks of salvation as the final deliverance "by our Lord Jesus Christ :" and he naturally adds, "who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep" (have died before His coming or be then alive), " we should live together with Him." Death does not deprive us of this deliverance and glory; for Jesus died. Death became the means of obtaining them for us; and if we die, we shall equally live with Him. He died for us, in our stead, in order that, happen what may, we should live with Him. Everything that hindered it is put out of our way and has lost its power; and, more than lost its power, has become a guarantee of our unhindered enjoyment of the full life of Christ in glory; so that we may comfort ourselves — and more than that, we may build ourselves up — with these glorious truths, through which God meets all our wants and all our necessities. This (1Th_5:10) is the end of the special revelation with regard to those who sleep before the coming of the Lord Jesus, beginning with 1Th_4:13.
I would here call the reader's attention to the way in which the apostle speaks of the Lord's coming in the different Chapters of this epistle. It will be noticed that the Spirit does not present the church here as a body. Life is the subject — that of each Christian therefore individually: a very important point assuredly."
