Be Prepared
“The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:9-10 We love to quote the first part of this passage, but somehow always leave off the last. Dwelling on God’s mercy and His patience makes us feel like we have unlimited time to repent. However, we don’t. Our reading today speaks about God’s judgment. In this passage it isn’t necessarily talking about the final judgement and the end of this world; however, the message truly ties in. We need to keep both ideas of a temporary destruction and an eternal destruction in our minds. The truth remains that if someone perishes in a temporary destruction (like an invading army, natural disaster, sickness or accident) and they have not repented and given their lives to God their destination is eternal agony and pain.
Joel 2:1-9 depicts a terrifying and complete invasion. Everything that had been known no longer exists. This happens in our world on a daily basis. Our lives can be completely turned upside down either on a grand scale or on a very personal one. None of us know what lies around the corner. This is why the world needs faith. Ralph Erskine once wrote, “Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith, for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith.” Trouble and calamity should strengthen our dependance on God. Though it often ruffles our faith in the moment, God frequently allows these periods of turmoil to deepen our faith and teach us just how much we can depend on Him.
Verse 1 of our today’s reading begins by saying, “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain!” There is a battle coming. We must sound the alarm and prepare each other to fight. However, we must never forget the weapons we wield as Christians do not compare with the world’s weapons. They are far stronger if we use them consistently in faith. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 tells us, “For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” In like manner, Ephesians 6:13 tells us, “Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Prepare for trouble by strengthening your faith. Be sound of scripture and dependent on Christ. Sound the alarm and do not be silent so that none are caught by surprise when the Day of the Lord arrives.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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