By Emmett Smith

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, the statement is made that 200 men from the tribe of Issachar, “which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do,” joined David in Hebron for his coronation as King of Israel. Any nation needs leaders who understand the times, thus knowing what to do. Throughout history, leaders who have understood their times and have been willing to heed wise advice from others with understanding have blessed those under their authority. And vice versa.

In the church as well, there is a need for those who understand the times. And gaining this understanding is not something that happens accidentally, nor is it possible without Biblical knowledge. As Job said in Job 28:28, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” And as the Psalmist said in Psalms 111:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Without God, understanding is impossible. He is the source, the wellspring, of true knowledge. But there’s also a source of knowledge “falsely so called”.

In Acts 17, Paul spoke to the Athenians on Mars’ Hill. They are described in verse 21 as having insatiable appetites for news -– they spent their time in nothing else but telling or hearing of some new thing. The Athenians were also very religious (verse 22), but were ignorant of the one true God. Things haven’t changed all that much since then, have they? We have our CNN, CNBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, radio, newspapers, online news, etc. But what of lasting value do we learn from such sources?

In today’s world, there is a tremendous effort being made to instill certain ideas in people’s minds. In the educational establishment from Kindergarten through Ph.D. In the news media. On prime time television. And in the church. Unfortunately, the ideas being pushed in the world are in direct conflict with those in the church. It’s always been that way. Just as the Athenians were ignorant of God, so is much of our world today. And many are willingly ignorant (2 Peter 3:5).

Even some who consider themselves Christians are obviously ignorant of the Bible’s teachings on these issues. Could that be because they spend less time reading the Bible than reading the newspaper or watching TV? Or perhaps they’ve just decided the world is right and the Bible is wrong. Paul exhorted the Ephesians to “redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16.) Then, in verse 17, he said, “be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

If we’ll concentrate on understanding the Lord’s will, we’ll be less likely to try to compromise with the world’s ideas. Remember, those ideas ARE in conflict with God’s will. Don’t let the evil one fool you.

" Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Corinthians 1:20).

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

“Reversing the moral collapse of the American family,” proclaims the subtitle of William Bennett’s work, The Broken Hearth. This short book attempts to do just that.

Contrasting the current disorder of American family life with a more wholesome past, Bennett highlights the crisis in compelling terms. Chapters dealing with homosexuality and divorce show how strongly these moral issues have undermined the stability of society.

Changing Course

Bennett, however, does not call for despair, but for change. Recovering moral foundations and building on the strength of conviction will recover the blessings of marriage and family that sin and selfishness have eroded.

“If we do our part,” the book concludes, “there is reason to hope that those blessings may yet again be ours –- ours to have, ours to hold, ours to bequeath to our children.”

God’s Plan

While writing for a general audience, Bennett is clear in asserting the need for specific application of biblical teaching to cure the social ills plaguing modern culture. He calls on churches, in particular, to join in the dialogue and contend for moral solutions to human problems.

The Lord’s church must rise to this challenge. Speaking out against immorality, we serve as light in a world of darkness.

God’s plan for marriage and family life is clearly detailed in Scripture. Husbands and wives are to be lovingly faithful to each other. Parents are to cherish their children while developing them in Christian faith, and children are to obey their parents.

God’s moral law, clearly taught and faithfully obeyed, provides hope for our future and remedy for the disorder of today's families.

by Jeff A. Jenkins

She quickly grabbed my attention while it was still early in the interview. Her name was Eden Lipson and she had been introduced as the Children's Book editor for the New York Times. Her purpose for appearing on this national news program was a very worthy one.

Shortly after the tragic events of September 11 she was appearing to give book recommendations that might be of help to children during a time of crisis. After recommending a number of good books she delivered the statement that is indelibly stamped in my memory. She said that these books will be of help, then she said, "but I don't believe in bibliotherapy".

She continued her comments by saying, "there is no book that can solve all our problems".

With all due respect to the scholarship of Ms. Lipson, I must beg to differ and take exception with her. I believe that there is one book that will solve every problem we face in this life.

Ms. Lipson even used a form of the name of this wonderful book in her statement. That book is the Bible. Only the Bible makes such bold and wonderful claims for itself. The Bible claims to be a book that came directly from the mind of God.

The apostle Paul said, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Peter says that the Bible gives to us "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). Only the Bible can correctly claim to be a light to guide our path (Psalm 119:105).

Are you struggling with the deepest questions of life? Does life seem to throw more at you than you are able to handle? Do you need guidance from a source greater than yourself?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions may I suggest that you read, study and meditate on the Bible.

Maybe Ms. Lipson was partially right. No mere book written by mere men can solve all of our problems. But the Word of God can! Praise God for His marvelous Word. I'm thankful that I can believe in Bibliotherapy!

by Phil Sanders

Time has a way of changing things. It is difficult to keep things the way they are. Children graduate from high school, graduate from college, and get married. A young married couple goes from having no children to having one child to having multiple children. A serious health challenge comes along, and things are never the same.

Joseph went down to Egypt as a slave and became a mighty leader, second only to Pharaoh. After Joseph died, “a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” (Ex. 1:8). The Hebrews, who had known favor during Joseph’s lifetime, became the slaves of Egypt.

Life changes.

Fortunately, there are some things in the Christian life that never change. The Lordship of Jesus Christ never changes. He arose from the dead and is now sitting at the right hand of God. Nothing can change that.

The word of God cannot change. Though heaven and earth pass away, the words of Jesus cannot pass away (Matt. 24:35). Our flesh may wither, but the word that was preached to us will abide forever (1 Pet. 1:24-25).

The character of God never changes. The Hebrew writer reminds us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). Our God is one who does not lie (Tit. 1:2). Paul proclaimed that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:37-39).

Amidst all the joy of new homes, new children, and new lives, let us give thanks for a God who never changes. Amidst the heartache of loss and disease, let us hold fast to the God who will never be moved. Praise be to God!

by Randal Matheny

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