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Be Prepared

"Prepare to meet your God, O Israel."¹

King Duncan wrote how, "In 1976, Indiana University's basketball team was undefeated throughout the regular season and captured the NCAA National Championship. Controversial and colorful coach Bobby Knight led them to that championship. Shortly afterwards, Coach Knight was interviewed on the television show '60 Minutes.' The commentator asked him, 'Why is it, Bobby, that your basketball teams at Indiana are always so successful? Is it the will to succeed?'

"Bobby Knight replied, 'The will to succeed is important, but I'll tell you what's more important, it's the will to prepare. It's the will to go out there every day training and building those muscles and sharpening those skills!'

"Another famous coach believed the same thing. 'Hurry Up' Yost was the football coach at the University of Michigan. A player once assured Coach Yost that their team was sure to win on Saturday because the players had 'the will to win.' 'Hurry Up' Yost answered: 'Don't fool yourself. The will to win is not worth a plugged nickel unless you have the will to prepare.' That is true. Whether we are talking about sports, or education, or science, or business, or any worthwhile endeavor in life, success goes to the person who has the will to prepare!"²

When it comes to serving God, as Jim Wallace said, "It's better to be prepared and not called, than to be called and not prepared."

And, most important of all, when it comes to life after death how incredibly foolish it is not to be prepared. While God said to Israel to prepare to meet him, the same principle applies to you and me. If, for example, your life were to end today, are you prepared to meet God? 

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that your Word, the Bible, shows me how I can be prepared for life after death. Help me to know for certain that I am ready to meet you face to face no matter when that will be. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Amos 4:12 (NIV).
2. King Duncan, www.sermons.com.

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