Year of Realization - Day 31: Don’t go out unprepared.

“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s a story about a man being overwhelmed with spiritual zeal such that he ran up a thorn tree. But, when he got to the top of the tree, he lost his anointing and was stranded, facing the treacherous feat of climbing down under his own power.

Now, whether or not that actually happened, I’ve seen very similar things take place: someone experiences a momentary exuberance, but because they didn’t stay tapped into the power of God, rather than doing a great exploit, they got themselves in a fix.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the above scripture the apostle Paul is informing the Corinthians that the Christian walk should not be entered into sloppily and carelessly. Rather, they should prepare themselves so as to be able to do whatever the Lord would have them to do.

There’s a story in The Acts of the Apostles that is oddly humorous. You see, some guys decided that they would casts out spirits just like Jesus and Paul did.

“A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.”

‭‭Acts 19‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the story we see that the demon had no idea who these men were. What the demon did know is that they had no authority to evict him.

Now, there’s no indication that these men claimed to be Christians, but apparently they just started throwing around the name of Jesus and Paul in an attempt to dispatch the demon. They immediately regretted doing so.

We know that when the Lord is with us in the doing of something, we need not fear. But knowledge of the fact that the Lord is the One Who works through us should not be used as an excuse to shirk those things having to do with preparation of body, soul, and spirit.

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the above scripture Peter is stressing the importance of being prepared by being holy, that is, by living a “separated” life unto the Lord. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we rent the nearest cave; but it does mean that we avoid those things against the word of God while pursuing those things that train us in righteous living.

Certainly, we must be prepared daily, as we never know what we’re going to face. Additionally, the Christian walk should be one of ever increasing glory. But, even more so, if we are about to step out in faith, we must make sure that we have the Lord’s word on it (if, when, and how, to do it) and that our heart and mind are prepared for the task.

In our opening scripture we see that Esther accepts Mordecai‘s call to action. She then gives her own call to action concerning spiritual preparation before approaching the king.

We will spend a couple of more days looking at other aspects of this part of the story also deserving of our attention. But for now, we want to appreciate the need to be spiritually prepared.

Being prepared with the word of God in your heart and your mind is indispensable. Additionally, we know that prayer should be an ongoing practice in our lives. And—when faced with something that’s taking us into uncharted territory—that prayer might need to be accompanied with fasting as a way to focus our attention on the Holy Spirit’s leading.

But—whatever you do—don’t go out unprepared!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization