The Unexpected
More than eighteen years ago, I vividly recall the journey to the hospital with my daughter, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my first grandchild. However, what should have been a time of immense joy turned into a grueling battle, leaving me spiritually and emotionally drained for months.
As Breanne (my daughter) walked down the hospital corridor with her suitcase in hand, I felt a stern message from the Holy Spirit. It was a clear warning: "You are entering this situation with borrowed faith." In that instant, I realized that I was unprepared for what lay ahead. My life had been consumed by busyness, leaving me without the prayer and spiritual grounding necessary to navigate the challenges that would unfold on this fateful day.
Be Prepared for Any Season
The events of that day imparted numerous valuable lessons, but none more significant than the importance of being prepared for any season.
It is clear that God never intends for us to face battles unprepared. Rather, His plan is for us to always be ready for whatever challenges may come our way. He has the foresight to see what lies ahead and has given us every tool necessary to ensure that we are equipped. The responsibility to be ready in season and out of season is entirely up to us.
We see this truth in 1 Kings 19:6–8. Concerning Elijah, the Word of God says, "He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
"Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, 'Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.'
"So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God." (NLT)
God knew what Elijah was about to experience, so He encouraged Elijah to prepare before the journey ahead began.
Encouraging Elijah to consume bread (symbolizing Jesus as our spiritual sustenance) and drink water (symbolizing the nourishment of the Word of God) was crucial in preparing him for the arduous journey that lay ahead. This nourishment sustained Elijah for the ensuing forty days, demonstrating its vital role in equipping him for the challenges he would face. (Photo via Pexels)
Be Wise and Bring Oil
We see this instruction again in Matthew 25:1–12:
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
"And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'" (NKJV)
As prepared people, we should strive to emulate the five wise virgins. We must ensure that we have an ample supply of oil (symbolizing anointing) to keep our lamps burning until Jesus arrives or until we have overcome the challenges we face.
Strategies from Heaven and Preparation for Rest
Daniel 7:25 tells us the enemy (satan) will attempt to weary the saints. He hopes we will run out of oil, thus dimming our light. But that is not God's plan. God's plan is that we stay "ready in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). We do that by staying in the Word of God and in God's presence.
I have felt for some time that there is a journey ahead of us—one that, in the natural, won't be fun. However, as children of God, it doesn't have to destroy or diminish us. We know this from the lives of Noah and Joseph. God always has a plan for His people.
In Joseph's day, famine was coming upon the land. The Lord had spoken it, and there was no stopping what was coming. Yet, God gave Joseph divine insight on how to prepare. God gave the strategy needed to get through the coming season or, one might say, the long journey ahead. (Photo via Unsplash)
The famine did come, but there were no effects of the famine on Joseph or his family. Why? He listened to God and prepared for the bad days coming, and the bad days didn't affect him. That is God's plan for us.
Things around us may shake; however, if we are IN CHRIST, filled with His Word and spending time with Him, that shaking does not have to rattle us. God gave Noah and Joseph time to prepare, and I believe He does the same for us.
I love a Scripture I came across while studying. It is found in Mark 15:42, and it says, "Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath..." (NKJV).
Sabbath speaks of the rest of God. This tells us there is a preparation day before we enter the rest of God. I believe we are in that time of preparation. I also believe the result will be that when challenging times arise, we will be able to enter into the rest of God. The key is in the preparation.
Heed His Call
On the day my daughter gave birth to my grandson, I had a profound realization. I had been feeling an inner nudge from God for weeks, urging me to spend more time with Him, to immerse myself in His Word, and to seek His presence. Regrettably, I didn't heed that call.
However, the storm surrounding the arrival of my grandson served as a powerful lesson for me. It taught me the importance of consistently nurturing my faith and keeping the Word of God close to my heart and on my lips. I understood that waiting for the storm to strike before you prepare spiritually is a mistake; we must prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead. Just as a well-trained soldier prepares by equipping himself before entering a battle, we too must equip ourselves for the journey ahead.
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Kim Potter
A New Thing Ministries
Email: Kim@anewthingministries.com
Website: www.anewthingministries.com
Kim Potter is the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to over 10,000 people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim's message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged and disappointed by the circumstances of life and imparts the desire and ability to stand against all odds; to stand for victory. She encourages people to press into God and discover that He is who He says He is.
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