SEPTEMBER 4, 2012
Well
Prepared
Read: Ephesians 6:10-20
You also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming
at an hour you
do not expect. —Matthew 24:44
The
idea of always being prepared makes me think of the man
who lived next door to
us when I was growing up. When Mr. Nienhuis
came home, he never failed to back
his car into the garage. That
seemed unusual to me until my mother explained
that Nels was a
volunteer fireman. If he got a call, he had to be ready to race
to the
fire station. He backed in so he could leave quickly when he had to
report for duty.
To
be well prepared is important in so much of life. “If I had 8 hours
to chop
down a tree, I’d spend 6 sharpening my axe,” said Abraham
Lincoln. We prepare
for a career by studying. We buy insurance in
case of a car accident or a house
fire. We even prepare for the end
of life by making a will to provide for loved
ones.
The
Bible tells us we must prepare ourselves spirituallyas well. We do
that by putting on spiritual armor to protect ourselves from spiritual
attack
(Eph. 6:10-20); by preparing our minds for holy living
(1 Peter 1:13); by
making sure we’re always prepared to answer
questions about the reason for the
hope we possess (3:15); and by
ensuring that we are ready for the promised
return of Jesus (Matt. 24:44).
How
well prepared are you for what lies ahead? Unsure? Ask the Lord
for His help
and guidance.
When I awake at early morn
To meet the coming day,
I want to be prepared to take
Whatever comes my way. —Simmons
Spiritual victory comes only to those who are
prepared for
battle.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
