Be Prepared

II Chronicles 12:14
"And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."

Ah, these days we are living in! We are hearing all sorts of horror stories on the news, and the internet is even worse, if we aren't careful we will be afraid to leave our house without a hazmat suit. Can you picture it? My little family of five leaving the house for church in hazmat suits?? Okay, I know it's not that funny, but seriously some days I'm tempted to at least don a face mask.

II Chronicles 12:14 isn't talking about being prepared for the end of the world, but actually has more value for Christians than making sure our pantry is stocked to feed our whole family for at least 30 days (and I'm all for that).

The word prepare means - In a general sense, to fit, adapt or qualify for a particular purpose, end, use, service or state, by any means. 

Wow, looks like we've got lots of prepping to do! The verse in II Chronicles is talking about King Rehoboam and that he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord. Interestingly enough the verse before talks about the strength of Rehoboam, it appears that physical strength was not at all what King Rehoboam needed to be prepared.

So, fast forward to modern day, where you and I live. What does any of this have to do with where we live today and the things we are facing?  I suppose it depends on what you are preparing for...

The headlines are screaming at us of the health dangers all around, the terror threats that keep changing names, the education demands that put stress on our children, and on the list goes. But really, how much can we do to change any of that? I mean, we can santize everywhere we go, stock up on food and ammo, and help with homework but does that really change the circumstances? 

So, as Children of God what are we to prepare for? 

I Samuel 7:3
"And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

Oh, if we could just see how far we've gone from our dear Saviour, I'm sure we would see the need to prepare our hearts to serve him and to seek him. The days are indeed evil, but if you are a child of the King, you need not fear. But just as fear is not needed, preparing is. 

So, today's blog is a little part of my heart and how the Lord is teaching me how to prepare my heart to him. Perhaps I'll dive deeper into this thought in my next post. Either way, I'd like you to join me in the prepping, ask your Father to show you how to prepare as I do the same.