Be Prepared!

Be Prepared!

Author Unknown

An outstanding lesson that has emerged from World War II is this:  a nation must be prepared.  An army and navy cannot be improvised when the enemy comes in like a flood.  Once the enemy is within the gates, the opportunity is gone.  And the nation pays the bitter penalty for its lethargy and lack of foresight. 

In His story of the Two Builders, Jesus emphasized the need of foresight in the higher realm of character and destiny.  He relates that two men built houses.  The first was in a hurry and built upon the sand.  “How will it look?”  was the chief consideration with him.  But the second man was concerned with the question, “How will it stand?” and so took time to dig down to a rock foundation.  We can imagine the first pointing a mocking finger at the other, and saying: “That foolish man is wasting too much time and money on his home.  I was smart enough to make quite a saving.”

"The Two Builders"  Matthew 7:24-27
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Both houses were finished and looked alike until the storm came, and the fall of the one and the stability of the other revealed who was the fool and who was the wise man.  The tragedy is that so many men who think themselves smart will one day find out how foolish they are.

Each one of us is building a house of character.  We are either building upon the shifting sands of human philosophies or public opinion, or upon the eternal principles taught by the Christ.  Into that building we are putting either shoddy material of sinful, crooked, or selfish living, or the solid material of righteous deeds.  One day the storms of life - sickness, sorrow, loss, temptation, death - will come to test our building.  Then only those who have based their living upon the words of the Divine Teacher and who have received Him as their Deliverer will meet the crisis with faith, courage, and endurance.

Too many wait until they are broken by life before they come to God.  Better late than never, for God is merciful.  But how much better to be prepared before the troubles of life overwhelm us!  Foresight is an attribute of wisdom.  Are you a wise man? (Or woman) Are you prepared?  If not, come to Christ the Builder, and He will help you build a character that will stand the test of life, death, and the judgment.  - M. P.

James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.