1 Chronicles 12 records a time in David’s life when he received much help. The chapter describes the tribes and people coming to David to offer their help.

 

One commentator made an interesting observation about this chapter. The word help appears a few times throughout the chapter. It is clearer in the original language – the Hebrew text. Even some of the names mentioned in this chapter carry the Hebrew root word "help". The Biblical Author couldn’t be clearer. David couldn’t have established his kingdom on his own. God rallied the people to support him. He brought mighty men, warriors, and people with different skills and talents to establish David’s kingdom. David received so much help that verse 22 records, "For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God".

 

The story reminds us that, like David, we need God’s help, and we need to help to do God’s work.

 

As an EP, we are blessed by many who step forward to help with their time, gifts, and talents. We are blessed by an efficient EP Office. A team of dedicated Exco members serves alongside me. Six Sub-Committees support the Exco: Preacher & Personnel, Holy Week Convention, Express, Family, Missions, and Equipping Committee. Each committee plays an instrumental role in supporting the EP's functions. When we help, we bless the wider body of Christ; all 15 EP churches are blessed. We can accomplish much because co-workers step forward to help.

 

The people who helped David probably didn’t realise this. They were not merely building David’s kingdom but God’s Kingdom. Through David, God brought about a greater King and Kingdom – our Lord Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Likewise, when we step forward to help, we are building God’s Kingdom together. So when we serve one another, we are building God’s kingdom together.

 

There is another important lesson we can learn from 1 Chronicles 12:32. David received a special form of help:

Among the tribe of Issachar were those who “understood the time and knew what Israel ought to do”.

 

The men from Issachar were unique. Their talent was not in might or skill. They are described as those who “understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do". This suggests they were exemplary in their wisdom. They understood the environment, the issues, and the times the country was in. It implies they had the spiritual discernment to know how the nation should respond to the challenges and issues surrounding it. 

 

In our context, this could mean having the spiritual discernment to understand our societal changes and the challenges we face. I believe that, as pastors and church leaders, God has equipped us with wisdom and discernment to know the times and how to respond.

 

The Straits Times reported that more Singapore residents identified as having no religion in 2025 than in 2020. People who identify as Christians dropped by nearly 2%. It marks the first recorded decline in Christianity in Singapore after four decades of uninterrupted growth. Those who identify as no religion rose by about 3%.

 

This shows that local evangelism is urgent. Reaching the lost at our doorstep, assimilating them into the church community, and discipling them are important and urgent. We need to consider how we can better fulfil the Lord’s commission at our doorstep in Singapore.

 

On the family front, a recent population census shows that marriages in Singapore dipped by 6.2% in 2025. Couples are tying the knot later in life, and more Singaporeans are staying single for longer. This trend is leading to delayed parenthood or opting out altogether. Experts predict the emergence of two groups: one group will continue to aspire to marriage and family life, while the other will be a growing group of Singles.

 

We need to engage both groups: families and singles. First, we need to strengthen marriages and build families so people can see and experience marriages and families as God’s good gifts. Second, if there is a growing number of singles, how can the church engage, disciple and empower them to serve?

 

Another aspect of family life is an ageing population. We all know that Singapore is an ageing society. We reached ‘Super Aged’ status in 2026. By 2030, 1 in 4, or a quarter, of our citizens will be aged 65 and above. A Channel News Asia report highlights that the number of seniors living alone has doubled compared with 10 years ago. We need to consider how we can bring the church to our seniors as more become homebound.

 

We certainly need to discern with our co-leaders how we pastor our people in view of these societal trends and challenges. But 1 Chronicles 12 reminds us that we don’t have to do it alone. When we serve together as an EP, God will enable us and establish His Kingdom with our offerings of help.

 

In the movie The Fellowship of the Ring, the council members face a crisis and disagree. Who has the courage to bring the ring to Mordor and destroy evil? How are they going to defeat a powerful force? Who will help?

 

Frodo offers himself as the ring-bearer for everyone, but he cannot do it on his own. He doesn’t even know the way. The moving part is when each member of the Fellowship and his friends commit their weapons, skills and lives to help Frodo. 1 Chronicles 12 is that picture of brave men from all tribes bringing their bows, slingstones, shields and spears in the service of the king. 

 

Brothers and sisters, we serve a greater King who owns a greater Kingdom. This King laid down His life to save us and unite us as a Body of Christ. Let us respond by helping and serving in His kingdom. Challenges will come, and we may not know the way. But when we offer our help, God will use each of us to build His kingdom together.