The LORD Prepares

The LORD knows. 

The LORD cares.

And the LORD prepares.

I shared last time on the blog that Marc and I’s phrase of the year has been “The LORD knows. And He cares.” Since January, the LORD has continued to show me things about Him and what He does for me that has been an encouragement to me.

Here’s my list up to this point:

The LORD hears.
The LORD speaks.
The LORD delivers.
The LORD guides.
The LORD helps.
The LORD strengthens.
The LORD defends.
The LORD sustains.
The LORD comforts.
The LORD forgives.

I’ve shared these on FB and IG already, but I know there are several of you reading this who may not want to spend your time there. I’m trying to be more purposeful with the blog moving forward which you may have noticed since this is my second post in as many months. My goal is to write a blog post and send a little note to my email subscribers once a month. Sharing on social media is easy and quick, but you just never know the direction those platforms will take so I think it’s a good idea to have another way to stay connected to you all. I appreciate you all taking time to be here in this “space” and support my writing ministry and/or stationery business. Okay, enough about that. Let’s get back to it! 😉

I thought I was done with this series (sort of) and was going to move into another aspect of God’s character. I was ready to explore the following phrase, “The LORD gives _______.”

However, as I read through the Gospels and considered the coming celebration of Resurrection Sunday, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Jesus had prepared His disciples, and as a result, us. In fact, I would argue that much of what Jesus did and said during His earthly ministry was about the preparation of His followers–even though they often did not comprehend it.

Let me give you just a few examples (and then I’d encourage you to go exploring on your own):

Jesus prepared the disciples for ministry (John 13:1-17).

Jesus prepared the disciples for suffering and persecution (John 15:18-16:1-33).

Jesus prepared the disciples for living (John 15:1-17, 14:15-31, the Sermon on the Mount, and many others).

Jesus prepared the disciples for dying (John 3:16-17, 14: 1-3, 21:18-19).

Jesus prepared the disciples for His coming death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-38; John 12:20-36; 13:18-30).

As I considered the way in which Jesus prepared–or attempted to–His disciples, I couldn’t help but take note of the love He had for them. It shines through in all of His actions, His words, and His prayers. I’m so thankful the LORD thought it necessary to record Christ’s prayers as He neared the end of His earthly life. His love for us–future believers–is all over those red letters as well.

And because He loves us, The LORD prepares.

He prepares us and He prepares things for us.

The LORD knows what will come in any given day, and He has left His Word so that we might be prepared for the circumstances, trials, and even everyday happenings that will take place.

Just as He attempted to prepare the disciples for living here on Earth without Jesus physically walking beside them, He has made preparations for us. We have His Word. We have the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Guide. We have a direct line of communication with Him through prayer. We have everything we need to live a life pleasing to the LORD.

He made no promises that life here on Earth would be easy–quite the opposite (John 16:33). However, He did make preparations for us in those difficult times as well. His Word is filled with everything we need when facing suffering and persecution. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, to give us His peace and comfort, and sufficient grace for every situation.

And then, of course, there is the preparations He made for our eternal life! This is the hope that we have that keeps everything else in perspective.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16-17

Jesus died on the cross for our sins (Romans 5:8). He took the punishment that we deserved (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23). And then He rose again the third day–just as He promised!

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:5-6

But the preparations didn’t end there! Jesus has prepared a place for us in Heaven with Him and He is coming again!

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:1-3

Isn’t our God amazing?

I hope you are having a little praise session in your heart right now. I know I am. 🙂

I’m so thankful the LORD prepares, and He does it simply because He loves us.

In closing, I’d like to encourage you with this quote:

“God is always preparing you for what He has prepared for you.”
~Unknown

Read that again. It’s a little wordy. 🙂

No matter what you are going through.

No matter what you are waiting for.

The LORD prepares.