Today’s reading: Nehemiah 11, 12, 13; Psalm 24, 54, 84, 114, 144; Proverbs 24

Nehemiah 13:1-3, “On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.”

The other day I was sitting and thinking about how much better I felt when I was walking on the treadmill everyday. I thought i might go outside and walk around the neighborhood. I thought well I could walk to the door between the garage and the laundry room and begin to stretch before taking my walk. I soon decided against it with so many excuses. Sound familiar?

You see it was not taking a walk that I was against, really. I just did not want to do what I needed to prepare to go walk. Actually I just wanted to walk out into the garage and magically the exercise would be done for me. Lazy, I know.

I did not want to take the time to prepare for the task ahead of me. This brings about so many problems. Someone once said, “Prior planning prevents potentially poor performance.” Say that three (3) times fast.

In our Scripture for today the people were listening to the Word of God being read. They were making preparation. That is always a good place to start. By reading God’s word you get your marching orders for the day.

What if you found yourself in Nehemiah’s place in Nehemiah 13:11, “Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.” If you did not prepare you would struggle with the battle at hand. Preparation is vitally important. Now, on the other hand we have to rely upon God to work through us; but, He wants us to prepare. This way the Holy Spirit has something to work with. There is ammunition in the bunker that He can bring to your memory as needed.

The wisest man said in Proverbs 24:27, “Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.” Again, preparation is vital.

If we do not make preparation then we will find ourselves in a sorry state of being. Look at Proverbs 24:31-32, “And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.” Learn from the mistakes of others. We have to prepare for what is ahead to the best of our ability and then let God work through us as He wills.

Are you prepared? Sure about that?