Getting Ready

Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God has given you. Joshua 1:11

The people in Joshua’s generation were about to enjoy one of the greatest moments of their lives. In just three days, they would see the Jordan River part so that they could cross over it on dry land. It would be a miracle they would never forget. They could not make the miracle happen on their own, but if they did not prepare themselves, they would miss it altogether.

Preparation was essential for the Israelites to see a miracle, and it’s true for us today too.

I regularly do premarital counseling as part of my ministry. The goal of this kind of counseling is to equip couples as they prepare for marriage. I know that the real secret to a great marriage is the presence of God in the relationship, and I also know there are certain skills couples can practice to give God free access to their lives. One of those “skills” is regular prayer.

A recent survey by Harvard University discovered that although the divorce rate in America is around 50 percent, the divorce rate among those who pray together on a daily basis is less than one percent. This is evidence that when couples pray, God adds his strength to the relationship, and it tells us that God gives real power only to those who pray.

In marriage, prayer is one way of “getting your provisions ready.” In business, getting an education and mastering the skills your career requires is another. Our personal discipline when it comes to getting our provisions ready gives God the opportunity to create moral excellence and prepare us for success.

Most of life is preparation. And when we master preparation, we give the Master free reign in our lives.

Lord, show me what I need to do today to prepare for the work you call me to do.