Most everyone knows the Boy Scout motto: Be prepared! How many of us really are prepared? When I told my parents I was moving across the country, they weren’t prepared. When my father passed away, our family wasn’t prepared. When I became an instant (step) mom, I wasn’t prepared. When I was hired for a position I applied for (only because unemployment required me to be looking for a job), I wasn’t prepared. How many of us were prepared for Covid and the on-line schooling, working from home, and social distancing that came with it?
There are things in life for which you can prepare (think vacation, birthday parties, moving) and things in life that take you by surprise. 2 Samuel 6:1-23 tells the story of David and the Ark of God. David wants to bring the Ark back to the City of David. They place the Ark on a cart and begin the journey. At one point, the oxen stumble and Uzzah reaches out his hand to steady the Ark. This aroused God’s anger against Uzzah and he died on the spot. David was angry over this, yet he was also afraid the same thing could happen to him. He took the Ark to the home of Obed-edom’s house. The Ark stayed there for three months.
When David made his second attempt to bring the Ark to the City of David, he was much more prepared. After taking just six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. He danced with all his might wearing priestly clothes, rather than the garments of a king. Having prepared a special tent, the the Ark was placed inside while David made burnt sacrifices and peace offerings to the Lord. He blessed the people and fed them.
When David’s wife, Michal, looked down on him for the manner in which he honored God, David retorted saying, “He (God) appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes.” (2 Sam 6:21-22 NLT).
What should we be preparing for?
We should be prepared to defend our faith:
“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your Life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” 1 Peter 3:15 NLT
We should be prepared to do what God asks of us:
“Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong.” 1 Peter 3:17 NLT
We should be prepared to meet God:
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” Matt 24:42-44 NLT
How has God called you to live? Slow down and listen for His voice. Don’t make hasty decisions based on emotions. Don’t worry about what others will think. In the end, they have no say over your eternity. Only God does. Give Him the glory.
Until next Sunday!
May God be with,
– PSG –
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