WISDOM OF PREPARATION (2)

So Jotham became mighty, because he PREPARED his ways before the LORD his God – 2 Chronicles 27:6

GOD’S WORD reveals the WISDOM of PREPARATION as the Platform for Manifestation: So Jotham became mighty, because he PREPARED his ways before the LORD his God (2 Chr.27:6). Joseph patiently endured tough preparations prior to unparalleled promotion. Ultimately, when he was invited and “they brought him hastily out of the dungeon,” he ensured that he “shaved himself, and changed his raiment” before approaching Pharaoh (Gen.41:14). He stripped himself of prison rags and dressed, prepared for the palace.

Knowing how to prioritize preparation is vital: “PREPARE your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house” (Pro.24:27). Here, God teaches Wisdom of Preparation for Work. A place to live is necessary, but a means of living is more essential. Most people prioritize their lifestyle: What sort of house to build; how nice a car to buy; and how to achieve the highest status of consumption. They put the cart before the horse. The parable in Matthew 25 shows that the wise bridesmaids were prepared for the feast because they had their oil. The others had a PLAN to go buy oil (Mt.25:10). Their readiness, not their looks or lamps, set the wise apart from the foolish!

The wise bridesmaids were captivated by the importance of the bridegroom’s visit. Their behaviour of bringing their lamps and flasks of oil, demonstrated their values. What we do is what we believe; everything else is just religious talk. The wise virgins valued the invitation, return, and approval of the bridegroom so much they adjusted their behavior to be ready. Faithful waiting involves being prepared and ready, not planning and predicting. We are to be concerned with being ready when Christ returns, not predicting and planning when that might be. The Bible encourages prayer and preparation, more than prediction and planning.

As much as we may desire to, we cannot accurately plan the future or much of what happens to us or our family members. These are often beyond our control. What we can do is prepare to deal with them. God would have us prepare, while submitting our plans to Him: “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand” (Pro.19:21). We should spend more time seeking to discern His purpose for our lives, than we should devising plans about what we think or assume He wants us to do.

In Genesis 12, God told Abram to begin a journey and didn’t even tell him where he was going. Abram couldn’t plan the itinerary; all he could do was prepare by instructing his family, wrapping up business details, packing his tent and setting out. God does the planning; men do the preparing. John the Baptist preached: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Isa.40:3; Mt.3:2-3). He didn’t say, “Plan the way of the Lord.” God has the Best Plan (Jer.29:11-13). Over time, life will test and reveal Believers who are prepared and ready, and the unprepared.

The Exodus from Egypt depicted prayer and preparation. God planned the Exodus, not man. Even Moses didn’t see the whole plan ahead of time. The Israelites prepared by marking their doors, carrying everything they could, eating fast food, and waiting for the word to move!

Esther – meaning ‘Star’ – prepared to shine in Shushan, the palace of Ahasuerus, king of Persia, and she did (Est.2:7-9; 15-17). She also prepared through prayer, with fasting, to rescue her people from Haman’s diabolical machination, and God backed her up (Est.4:15-16).

The Hebrew youths prepared to excel amidst Babylon’s corruption and pollution, and they did (Dan.1:5-15). Preparation Time is crucial. Moses spent 80 years to prepare for 40 years ministry. Jesus prepared for 30 years to minister for three years plus; and John the Baptist, 30 years for a 6 months ministry! Apostle Paul instructed Timothy: “...BE READY in season and out of season" (2Tim.4:2a).

Athletes prepare diligently to obtain trophies (1Cor.9:24-25). Soldiers prepare to win battles (2Tim.2:3-4). God wants us, like the Boys’ Scouts, to “Be Prepared” – always alert in spirit, mind, and body to accomplish life’s assignments and fulfil our glorious destinies.