When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.
Psalm 27:10
Any good mother or father takes care of their children and as much as the best of earthly parents can be, there is no parent like Abba Father. Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He knows the end before the beginning and His caring and preparing for His children supersedes what any earthly parent ever could.
Two primary ways that He prepares us are through Scripture and in prayer by His Spirit. About a week ago while praying for the Body of Christ the Holy Spirit kindled two words in my spirit; “brace” and “grace.” He led me to pray for His grace for His people and strength to brace.
Synonyms for brace are: bolster, reinforce, prepare, make ready. It is imperative in this crucial hour that we bolster/reinforce/prepare/plant ourselves deeper in the Lord, through earnest prayer and taking heed to His Word so that we will be built up and established in our faith.
“As you, therefore, have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk with Him, rooted and built up in Him established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
Those who are deeply anchored in Jesus will not be easily moved and they will have an inner rest and confidence in their souls even when the world around them is in utter turmoil and uncertainty.
We must stay alert at all times, praying that we will have the strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:4) These are definitely times of trouble but God does not want us troubled. He wants us prayerful, watchful and prepared.
So how do we brace ourselves in times of trouble, uncertainty, unrest, spiritual and natural warfare? We go to the hill of the Lord. . . . .
Who may ascend to the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, and who has not lifted up his soul to an idol? Psalm 24:3-5
In order to brace ourselves, we must face ourselves. We must carefully examine our hearts in light of Scripture and cry out like David, “Search me O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
( Psalm 139:23-24) David asked for God to purge him of sin and he earnestly sought the Lord in genuine repentance.
This is the time to adamantly seek the Lord and be rightly aligned to the plumbline of His Word. Adorning ourselves in holiness. This is how we are firmly anchored, braced, and planted in the house of the Lord and flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:12-13)
It’s after we strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up that we can run with endurance the race that God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Though the world is in turmoil those who are adamantly seeking after God, abiding, and aligning will flourish in prayer. Flourish in our giftings. Flourish in God’s Presence. Flourish in faith. Flourish in peace. Flourish in hope. Flourish in endurance. Rooted. Grounded. Firmly established and braced in the Lord.
We must humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up in due time. God honors a humble heart. It’s the humbled and contrite heart that Father prepares and graces.
Grace
Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Biblical humility is more than an attitude, how you respond or being modest and meek. True humility is of the heart. A heart fashioned after the heart of Christ whose very entry into the world of being born in a stable, an unworthy place was just the threshold of His life of deep humility.
Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry to the cross, He humbled Himself before the Father and God endowed Him with strength, grace, and endurance even to the cross. That same power and grace are available for us today.
Jesus told His disciples before His ascension to heaven; “ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:8) Hallelujah! Jesus left His earthly body but He did not leave us, orphans! He is a Promise Keeper! His promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Himself lives in every believer and it is He who helps us. Sustains us. Strengthens us. Braces us and graces us with the power to stand in these perilous times! Take heart my brothers and sisters we are never alone! God is with us and He is preparing us.
Listen to the word of the Lord,
“So, prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So, you must live as obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desire. You didn’t know better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 Amen.
Holiness is indeed our “brace” because living uprightly by default draws us close to God and in Him is all we need to endure to the end. His grace is sufficient for us. His power is perfected in weakness. He is faithful to supply the grace enabling us to brace for the race.
Preparation
We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
God is . . . . . . .
Preparing our hearts to honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
Preparing us for the prize of the upward call! Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9:24)
Preparing with alertness, discernment, and sensitivity for the coming of the Lord. “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)
Preparing us to take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
God is preparing us. Bracing us. Gracing us to endure to the end.
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
So draw close to Him not just out of a need for Him but want for Him.
Live holy not to just keep all the “rules” but because you want to please Him as obedient children.
Spend time with Him not out of duty but out of desire.
Pray to Him not just for the petition but for His Presence.
Love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
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If you are reading this and have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day! God loves you so much and He has a plan for your life. No need to wait until you "think" you have it all together. None of us have accomplished that but Jesus did. He died on the Cross for your sins and to give you eternal life. Won't you receive Him today?
Lord, I confess my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. I believe You died and rose from the dead. Thank You for a new life in You. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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