They must go about their daily lives fulfilling their daily responsibilities and yet be ready for “the Big One.” Inevitable as it may be, the earth quakes to end all earth quakes has not happened yet! I am told that it is next to impossible for an army to be on high alert and on the ready for battle for any length of time! Ready, waiting, ready, waiting for the battle to begin! After so long you lose your focus! You run out of adrenaline! So how can we have everything at the ready, and on go for our “Big” one? How do we stay ready, prepared when it hits?
A couple of Christmases ago one of my grandchildren asked for an authentic Swiss Army Knife! The design of this venerable tool comes from shear brilliance and need. We are taught that form follows function and this tool is a collection of more than several tools ready at a moments notice from a tooth pick to a knife and everything in between. The advantage of this tool is the multitude of uses in a compact form, to be able to deal with any emergency, especially “the Big One.” So lets use the “spiritual” Swiss Army Knife we have from the word of God.
The first is to remember the inevitability of it. The Lord has told us of His future plans for the earth and its populations. “For I, the Lord, do not change…” Malachi 3:6 Second, the things revealed to us will be handled by the Lord Jesus Christ. The the writer of the book of Hebrews says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 So we remember His promises! Third, we are in the battle and we don’t know exactly when “the Big One” is coming, but it is! And while we watch and wait, fight and stand, the Apostle Peter reminds us that part of our effort is to be used by our Lord God to bring those around us to repentance and salvation before “IT” hits.: “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9. And finally, remember what He told Paul, it also goes for us: “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
The blessings of our Lord God Almighty are so evident we should be floating on the glories of His presence for what He has done our whole lives. May we grasp our “spiritual” Swiss Army Knife, ever at the ready to be used to its greatest advantage and glorify for our King! May you have a prepared life! Stay “under the Shadow of the Almighty.”
Robert Thompson has been the senior pastor of Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church in Snellville since May 2003. He graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1986. Robert is also Chairman of the Board of Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship. He and his wife Wanda have been married for 43 years. They have three adult daughters, Amanda and twins Rebecca and Sarah. Amanda is married to Jerry Jones and they have three daughters of their own. Rebecca is married to Wesley Payton; they have two sons. Sarah is married to Mark Magdziarz and they have two daughters and two sons.
Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church 3800 Lenora Church Rd., Snellville, GA 30078 web: www.chapelwoods.org e-mail: pastor@chapelwoods.org phone: 770 978 1445
