SO, HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR THE DAYS AHEAD?

8/20/18

With so many messages that we read these days about the dark days that are coming, one may wonder how one would prepare for them. As I've considered this I’m certain that many of you have as well. So I decided to write some things that I believe, would serve us well in thinking about all of this.

With all of the vivid messages that speak of crumbling buildings, food shortages, and the spread of violence, one would be hard-pressed to consider how they might forge their way through those days. Certainly some have already considered building underground shelters that are equipped with loads and loads of food and needed supplies to keep them safe from danger. Others have with the Lord's instruction, built places of refuge that will serve themselves and others. Many others have gathered a large arsenal of guns and weaponry to keep them safe from those who might come to harm them and their families.

And yet, can one actually think that stock-piling all kinds of guns would keep a person safe when the earth cracks open, and many flee the cities? Can a supply of weaponry actually keep a person safe when our country is taken over by outside forces? Please don't misunderstand me, I believe that a person needs to protect themselves and their family against those who might attempt to harm us. But somehow I believe that many of us have forgotten that the Lord Himself can be our shelter. He has told me time after time, that those who dwell under the shelter of His wings will be kept safe. Now it may well sound foolish to some that this could actually keep a person safe from the great darkness that is coming. I mean, it probably seems more logical to trust in one’s own ability to keep themselves safe.

But then I read passages like this:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. Psalm 91

And then I also consider the story of the widow who had run out of food for herself and son. We know the story of how the prophet Elisha had come to her asking for a small morsel of bread, even though the woman had no food left in her house. We see the mighty hand of God at work here, for the oil and the barrel of meal didn’t run out. You see, God will sustain us in ways that defy the logic of man.

12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah. 1 Kings 17

But I will tell you this: You better get your house in order because everything that can be shaken will be shaken. You better take stock of all of the items of luxury that you own and see if anything is more important to you than your relationship with Him. There’s nothing wrong with having a nice home and car, but when our time is spent with it rather than finding a place to sit at His feet, then it can become a distraction.

If you haven’t already been able to hear His voice clearly, then this will be of utmost importance. Because with all of the other voices that find a way of vying for our attention, you will be lost in a maze of confusion. It won’t be a matter of what your pastor or your favorite bible teacher has to say, because they will also be thrown into panic wondering what to do next. Know the scriptures, and keep them close to your heart and speak them aloud.

It’s probably going to be wise to make your life simplier and to eliminate those things that occupy your time and attention. Each person will need to make up their own mind what is important and what isn't. We all have families and schedules to meet, meals to cook, and houses to clean. But remember that many will have to decide what their real priorities are.

I am reminded about the words of Jesus when He said:

28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Mark 10
 
Now, that is not necessarily to mean that we must leave our families behind when those dark days come, but it does mean again, that we must be able to put Him first above all else.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. Matt. 8

Many will perish when all of these things happen, and yet God in His great mercy and wisdom will keep those safe who trust in Him. One can only imagine how some will find a way amidst the terror and confusion, but I believe there will be a banding together of those who will lead the way to safety. Great miraculous things will be done even in the midst of the panic and confusion. The light of God will emanate in the darkness and a way will be found where seemingly there would be none.

Don’t allow others to cause you to fear for what lies ahead. There are some whose words only breed fear and no hope. God's word always has a sense of balance in it. Don’t be misled, but learn to discern what is true and what is not.

None of us know when the time will come for these things to occur, and yet we must know that those things are approaching closer and closer each day. Be alert and be ready, and have your lamps trimmed and filled with oil.

So, perhaps this message can provide some kind of instruction and hope when many may think that it could be too dark to even hope. God always provides a way for His own, and He will lead His sheep if we allow Him to be the Shepherd.

Amen,

Stephen Hanson