Catch the Wave

Tribe of Issachar, Part 2: understanding the times and answering the call

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, when the tribes of Israel came to make David king, the Bible singles out the tribe of Issachar. They understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do.

That's where our church gets its name. And that's the question I want us to wrestle with: what time is it, and what should we be doing about it?

God Promised an Outpouring

The prophet Joel spoke for God and said, "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" (Joel 2:28).

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and said, "This is that" (Acts 2:16). What Joel saw coming had arrived. And the promise wasn't only for them. Peter said it was "unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off" (Acts 2:39).

That includes Sheridan, Indiana.

God Is Still Moving

In February 2023, a regular chapel service at Asbury University in Kentucky didn't end. Students stayed and kept worshiping, praying, and confessing. It went on around the clock for about two weeks, and people came from all over the world.

I'm not telling you to chase a location or an experience. I'm telling you God is still doing what he promised. When people get hungry, God shows up.

A wave is coming. The question is whether we will be ready to catch it.

You Don't Make the Wave. You Get Ready for It.

Any surfer will tell you that you can't create a wave. All you can do is be in the water, be facing the right direction, and start paddling before it reaches you. If you wait until it's on top of you, it's too late.

Revival works the same way. We can't manufacture it. But we can position ourselves for it.

The Issachar Mandate

Here are four ways we get in the water.

1. Pray. Every move of God in history started with people praying. Not a few polite words, but hungry, desperate prayer. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

2. Fast. Fasting tells God we want him more than we want our comfort. Jesus said "when ye fast," not "if" (Matthew 6:16). Start small. Skip a meal and spend that time with God.

3. Witness. An outpouring is not just for the people already in the building. Acts 1:8 says we receive power to be witnesses. Somebody in your life needs to hear what Jesus has done for you.

4. Refuse to be Meroz. In Judges 5, after God gave Israel a great victory, the song of Deborah calls out a town named Meroz "because they came not to the help of the Lord" (Judges 5:23). They weren't enemies. They just stayed home. Don't sit this one out.

Understand the Times

The tribe of Issachar wasn't famous for being the biggest or the strongest. They were known for paying attention. They saw what God was doing and they moved with it.

That's who we want to be. A small church that is awake. A church family that prays, fasts, shares Jesus, and shows up when God moves.

Get in the water. The wave is coming.

Pastor Josh

Join us Sundays at 10 a.m. at 501 S Main St in Sheridan. Plan your visit.