During the late nighties, a large part of the “Industrialized world” had moved to digitalizing a lot of important aspects of everyday life. Banking, Computerized industry, time clocks, record keeping and many other important aspects of livelihood were controlled by computers. Many software programs were designed to have the only a two-digit date for the year instead of a full four-digit date. Speculation, not unfounded, was circulating that computer programs may crash or freeze after the year 2000, since the date would be “00.” Computers were still relatively new and unpredictable, but it seemed logical that full industries might be put on hold for an uncertain amount of time making it hard for the individual. Not being able to get money out of a bank, not being able to buy food or anything else, perhaps not being able to go to work and make the money needed to live. The
“W2K” scare, as it became known as, gave a new meaning to an old word – Prepper. People feared that they were going to be negatively impacted by the turn of the century so many people did a logical thing, they prepared for the event. Arguably because of the preparations taken by governments and business leaders behind closed doors, little of what people feared would happen on Jan 1st, 2000, did actually come to pass. While there is a stigma around prepping for end of the world scenarios, preparedness is not a bad thing. Preparation is facing the challenge now that might come about later on. Preparation requires practice.

In the Book of proverbs chapter 21 verse 31, Soloman says, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” While Soloman did not want battle he prepared for it, and part of his preparation was depending on God fully, though being prepared physically.

Another key figure in Israel’s history also found himself in a place where preparation was paramount. From a youth he was being prepared by God to lead the nation, but he was also preparing for war if that was to be in his future. In fact, David did both lead a nation and fight many battles. His preparation did not begin when he was 21, or 18. He didn’t go through a six-month boot camp or spend four years in college. No, his preparation was his entire upbringing. In his daily life, God used sheep to let David learn about people. God used a lion and a bear to show him about war. But a much deeper lesson was being taught to David, and that was to be fully reliant on God, and to be prepared in areas that God might use him.

David didn’t just learn to sling stones overnight, nor did he come to the sound theological conclusion that God was faithful and powerful. No, David slowly came to this conclusion through reading the Word of God, seeing God deliver him from a lion and a bear, and learning how to put another person’s needs before his own. David developed a walk with God.

This year, let it be our highest priority to prepare our hearts to seek and search out a God who desperately wants to be by us. Let’s face the challenges of developing a walk with God now, so that later we will be served by them. Preparedness requires practice, so let’s practice getting alone with God; practice praying. Let us practice relying on Christ alone for the little things and the big things now, so that when it matters most, we will be prepared.

Ezra 7:10

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

This is no easy task, but it must be worthwhile. I desire to have a prepared heart. I want to aim high.

S.T. 
Acts 20:24
"But none of these things move me..."