Times of preparation

Speaker: Ruth Brown

Notes

Wilderness experiences are times of preparation. Getting the soul in line with the spirit. John the Baptist was sent to prepare for Jesus' coming (Luke 1:76,80), as prophesied in Isa 40:3-4.

• Making a straight highway - righteousness, integrity

• Raising the valleys and lowering the mountains - pride and selfish ambition

• Levelling the rough ground - secure in own identity

God prepares us ...

• To be the bride of Christ (Rev 19:7). We become betrothed at salvation, sealed and bound, but the bridegroom hasn't yet come to complete the marriage

• To do good works (Eph 2:10, 4:11)

• To preach the word (2 Tim 4:2, 1 Pet 3:15)

God's preparation is not punishment but pruning (John 15:1-4). The main purpose is to move us from our own agenda to God's agenda.

In the wilderness, God withdraws to encourage us to seek him. It can feel as though he's not there. And that we can no longer do anything (so we have to rely on him). The higher the calling, the darker the wilderness.

Our response should be to recognise and embrace it, don't blame people. Don't grumble and moan but be thankful, and keep going.

God's goal is to make us more like Jesus. He is able to keep us from falling and to bring us into his presence without fault and with great joy! (Jude 24)

Application

Have you been through a wilderness time of preparation? If so, how did you know that's what it was? What didi it feel like and what was the most important thing that God was doing in you?

Look at Jesus' time of preparation in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11. What was God preparing him for and what were the main lessons?

Rev 19:7 says of the wedding of the lamb, "his bride has made herself ready." How close to being ready do you feel? How much is up to us to do the preparation ourselves and how much is it dependant on God changing us? What things do you feel you still need to work on to be ready for Jesus' return?

Posted: 20 Jan 2008