How to Prepare for the Days Ahead

When we study and meditate upon the Word of God (the Bible likens this to feeding our souls) our faith is increased and we have a clearer understanding of who Jesus is and His plan. We also find the necessary peace and strength from God which we need each day and for the days to come.

In the Old Testament book of Daniel, the prophet Daniel was allowed by God to see events that will take place immediately before the return of Jesus Christ. These visions were so overwhelming that they sapped Daniel's physical strength and left him unable to speak.

Daniel chapter 10 verses 14 through 19

14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Daniel needed peace for his heart and soul after seeing the vision of the events that will take place in the latter days. Daniel also needed strength after beholding these things. God provided the peace and strength Daniel needed by speaking to him.

You and I need peace and strength from God every day. God gives us all that we need for life in this world, including that which we need for our spirit and soul. Life can be hard, even tough at times, and like Daniel, sometimes we are overwhelmed. The God who has created us knows this. One great token of His love for us is that He has provided an inexhaustible supply of peace and strength for us in His Word. Just as God spoke to Daniel to give him peace and strength, God speaks to us. God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. God's Word is powerful (see Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12) and, like God Himself, it is spirit and life.

John chapter 6 verse 63

63 It is the spirit that quickened; the flesh profitith nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

While we are not saved by the works that we do, each one of us is given opportunities to serve in the Kingdom of God. If we prepare ourselves spiritually, studying the Word, applying it to our hearts and the way that we live, joining a local Bible believing Church, and being baptized following our Lord's example, then we can make the most of opportunities to serve Jesus.

One command that our Lord has given us that is essential for our spiritual growth and happiness is found in Hebrews chapter 10, verses 24 and 25;

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.

The spiritual growth of many Christians has been stunted, and even stopped altogether, because they have failed to faithfully keep this particular command of God.

As a pastor I have heard many say,"I don't believe that you have to go to Church to go to Heaven". Can a soldier fight the war by himself? O Christian, do you not know that your happiness is directly proportional to your trust in our Lord and obedience to His Word? How can you receive the manifold blessings of God that are bestowed through the gifts of the Spirit, if you do not meet and fellowship with those upon whom these gifts are bestowed? How can you use the gifts of the Spirit, which God has given you for the edification and blessing of His Church, if you do not meet with your brothers and sisters in Christ?

We need to carefully consider the effect of our words and deeds upon our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must ensure that we use every opportunity that our Lord Jesus Christ gives us to provoke one another unto love and good works. We must meet with others who are part of the body of Christ. It is absolutely necessary that we exhort and encourage one another.

As we look at world events in the light of God's Word, we see that the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is getting closer every day. This reminds us that the Word says, "so much more as ye see the day approaching". This means that we ought to be increasing in love and good works, assembling ourselves together, and exhorting one another.

The Lord Jesus Christ is 100% faithful and will do everything He has said. As we read the Word, we will find that our fears are diminished, and our confidence in our Lord increases. When we put into practice the teachings of our Lord, we become more than hearers of the Word, we become doers also. It is then that we experience an exponential increase of understanding and opportunities to serve our Lord.

The most important and immediate need that you and every other person has is to be saved. Once we have believed on Jesus Christ, being born again, we need to grow spiritually. The spiritual preparations for life today and the days that lie ahead are the most important preparations we must make. Spiritual growth can only take place if we study God's Word, apply His teachings to our hearts, and then put into practice the things He has taught us.

Jesus promises that if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (which is found in Jesus) that He will provide our physical and material needs.

Matthew chapter 6, verses 31 through 34;

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,
What shall we eat? or, Wherewithal
shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the
Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these
things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and His righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.

34 Take no thought therefore for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the
things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof.

Every Christian's physical and financial situation is different. Our Lord knows this. Therefore the only recommendation I make to all believers is that we get completely out of debt. Beyond that, we must look to the Lord for guidance in our own particular situation.

The verses above speak to us of our need to seek our Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness. When we by faith do these things we receive from God wisdom and the spirit of discernment. It will take wisdom from God and the spirit of discernment to know what, if any, preparations we are to make for our physical survival.

Perhaps the Lord will lead you to begin to put aside food and other items for your use in the days that are coming. This is what He led Joseph to do before the great famine. See Genesis chapter 41.

On the other hand, God might lead you to depend upon Him to miraculously provide for you as He did for Elijah. See I Kings chapter 17.

I cannot tell you specifically what manner of preparations you need to make for physical survival, but I do say that if you do not prepare spiritually, anything else you do will be in vain.