Prepared

"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy." George Washington

As I read this quote from one of our founding fathers and the First President of the United States I could not stop thinking how right he is. If a country is not prepared and has a weak military they are bound to be taken advantage by a superior force. This concept is not just limited to the military. It is also applicable in economics, business, sports, and daily life. For example, if a country (USA) is in deep economical trouble it puts itself in a position to be taken advantage of by a nation with economical power (China). If a business is not prepared for a change in future trends and is not at the forefront of technological advances (Chrysler/GM), the competition will steal its business (Toyota). If a football team does not prepare for a game, the opposing team will win. This concept even applies in high school. If a bully at school sees weakness on a kid, whether it be small size or fear, he will pounce on him like a Lion on an injured Zebra.

The opposite is also true. If your country has enough nukes to annihilate the world, an enemy will think long and hard before making a foolish move (Cold War). If your company has made the right decisions and was prepared for change or potential trouble (Ford), it will not need to take “loans” from the Government. Even a bully will back off a kid who is prepared to confront him and take a stand.

Just as this concept is applicable to our earthly life, it is also applicable to our spiritual life. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised if President Washington learned this concept from his reading of the Word of God, the Bible.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1Co 9:24-27

God has provided the tools for us to be prepared to meet the enemy: (1) Jesus victory over satan - 1 John 4:4 (2) the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8 (3) Armor of God – Eph 6:11-18. Just in case you do not know who is the enemy, let me refresh your recollection: 1) Yourself (the Flesh); 2) the world system (remember satan is the prince of this world); 3) satan (wants to destroy you).

Now that we have the weapons, we need to learn to use them and become proficient with them so that we can always be prepared to meet the enemy. What good does it do to have a Rifle if you do not know how to fire it. It does you no good. Same with our spiritual weapons. For example, I find it disturbing when a believer never wants to be left alone or unaccountable to a brother, because he believes he will sin or give in to temptation/sin. Yes, it is good to be accountable to our brothers in Christ, but we have to be able to survive on our own, because we do not have reinforcements available all the time. Moreover, what does that say about their relationship with Christ. Do they have one? I ask. Because when alone they seem to forget about their Lord and suddenly develop an inability to obey and submit to Him. Why? I’ll tell you why. Because they have the weapons, but do not know how to use them. Thereby they rely on a mature believer who is trained and prepared to use their weapons to protect him against the enemy.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb 5:12-14

The goal is for all believers to be prepared, but some choose the easy way out. I understand why, it is hard work to be prepared. I saw a TV special on how a top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter prepared for a fight. He did Muay Thai in the morning, Boxing mid morning, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the afternoon and physical conditioning in the evening. 6 days a week, all day. In his day of rest, he would do a crazy cardio workout at the hottest time of the day. Why all the hard work? Because he wanted to be prepared for what ever his opponent could throw at him. The more prepared he is the more of a chance he has to win the fight.

There is a military proverb that states that while we rest or sleep the enemy is training hard to kill us. This is so true, our opponent will strike when and where we are weak. In what area have you failed to be prepare? That is why we are to be always training, preparing, at the ready. Like the above mentioned MMA fighter. Training all the time, out-training our opponent & always being prepared to meet him. For a believer we are talking about: prayer without ceasing (constant communication with God) – 1 Th 5:17; daily Bible reading & daily application of the Word of God to our lives – Psalm 119:11; sharing the good news – Matthew 28:19-20; fellowship with other believers (Iron Sharpens Iron) - Proverb 27:17; congregating at Church for a time dedicated for worship at least once or twice a week – Hebrews 10:25; being discipled and discipling others; and putting on and utilizing the Armor of God – Eph 6:10-18

Remember that “We do not rise to the occasion, we fall to the
level of our training (preparation).”

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail”
John Wooden, UCLA Coach

God Bless. Fight the Good Fight.