Preparation Precedes God’s Presence

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

  

It never ceases to amaze me that God dwells in these bodies of dust. What a concept! Yet that is exactly what Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). How important it is then, that we prepare for His presence.

John the Baptizer helped many to prepare for the Savior. His message was unchanging and resolute, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). Many responded to John’s message. Being prepared, they recognized Jesus when He came, and they left everything to become the first Christ followers. It was necessary that they prepare for His presence. 

In this case, the instruction was specific—REPENT! Repentance is a complete change of heart or change of mind. It is a surrender of our lives to His. He is Lord, and we must prepare to receive Him as Lord. Nothing else is acceptable and anything else is inadequate. 

Some in His day said they were ready to follow the Lord, but it became obvious they were unprepared (Luke 9:57-62). The religious leaders in His day were completely unprepared for his arrival. They knew He was coming and even knew where He would be born (Matthew 2:4-6). However, when the words announcing His birth were proclaimed, they made little, if any, effort to join Him. They were unprepared because they preferred, instead, their rituals.

Let me encourage you to be prepared for Jesus. Unprepared, you will miss the opportunity to experience Him. Unprepared, you will remain unmoved in personal worship. Unprepared, the freshness of His word will be painfully silent.

Nothing can substitute for a pure heart before God, neither piety nor religious activity. A pure heart happens in only one way—repentance! The Psalmist told us what to do. He said to pray this way, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Preparation precedes God’s presence. Are you prepared?

"Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight" (Luke 3:4).