Thought for Today
Exodus 19:11 and prepare for the third day, because on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'"
Luke 1:76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
When we lived along the Texas Gulf Coast, as hurricane season approached, we prepared by making sure we had batteries in our ‘battery drawer’ for all of our flashlights and other things which required batteries. As technology transitioned to rechargeable batteries, we made sure we had spare battery packs and that they were fully charged. We made sure the pantry had sufficient supplies of canned goods and bottled water.
In New England, we have applied those same lessons of preparation to a different time of year. Now we prepare for winter, for nor’easters, for blizzards and for ‘deadly winter mix’ (simultaneous snow, sleet and rain). Like most folks, we have learned to prepare for the weather where we live. Here, we have even learned what seemed like a silly warning we received in advance of our moving here, “you cannot survive with only 1 winter coat.” Our coat closet in New England is overflowing with a plethora of various weight coats, plus gloves of varying weights, hats, scarves, etc.
We make preparations for other aspects of our lives. We buy insurance for our homes and cars. The things insured, fire, flood, liability may differ depending on locale. Certainly the amount insured will vary depending on home value and other considerations. We prepare for our financial needs by keeping money available in our banks. Hopefully, we prepare when we are young for our financial needs when we are older.
That is all well and good; but, irrespective of where we live, how do we prepare ourselves spiritually? And, what happens if and when we do not? Our ancestors-in-the-faith were given specific, detailed instructions to prepare and protect themselves for the direct appearance of the LORD. As we read and study the Old Testament, we see periods where the preparations were made, God’s laws and commandments were carefully observed. We also see times where that was not the case. Our ancestors-in-the-faith never fared well when they neglected to prepare properly.
Mark announces the advent of John the Baptist by quoting from the prophet Isaiah, “'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” We know how that worked out, both for John the Baptist and for Jesus. Some did prepare the way, some followed The Way. John was beheaded by Herod and Jesus was crucified by the Romans. Their fates were the result of some of God’s children not preparing their own ways, not making their own paths straight. And the results of God’s people’s failure to prepare themselves were the deaths of God’s prophet and of God’s Son.
How about us? Have we each made our own paths straight? Have we prepared our own lives in accord with “the way of the Lord?” We know Jesus’ promise, “John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” We know the truth of Jesus’ words; we know we can trust Jesus’ promise to prepare a place for each of us, individually. We know that Jesus will never abandon us, “Matthew 28:20 . . . And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Have we made our spiritual preparations? Have I? Have you?
I believe salvation is like Jello Instant Pudding, Remember the jingle, “It’s never too late to make dessert.” So too, while we are alive, it’s never too late to prepare spiritually. How do we do that? We pray; we study; we worship.
Stay safe, prepare, trust God,
Pastor Ray