PREPARE YOURSELF

1 Kings 18:44-46 (AMP) – 44 And at the seventh time the servant said, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.” And Elijah said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the rain shower does not stop you.’” 45 In a little while the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there were heavy showers. And Ahab mounted and rode [his chariot] and went [inland] to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah [giving him supernatural strength]. He girded up his loins and outran Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel [nearly twenty miles].

Hey beautiful people! Season’s Greetings!! I hope you and your family are safe and well. As we look forward to the new year, it is important that we’re prepared for the journey that lies ahead in 2022.  The scripture above talks about two people (King Ahab and Prophet Elijah), same journey, same destination but different experiences.

First, the passage describes to us one man (Ahab) who relies on his chariot’s natural strength and another (Elijah) who relies on God’s supernatural strength.  In the coming year, are you going to trust in your own strength, ability, intellect, socio-economic status, the strength of those around you or are you going to trust in God’s supernatural, unfailing strength, (Psalm 20:7)?  Proverbs 3:5-6, encourages us not to lean on our own understanding but to acknowledge God in all that we do and watch Him direct our path, our ways, even in the coming year and beyond. 

God’s hand is His empowerment or grace to help us do what we ordinarily or naturally cannot do.  Elijah was able to outrun Ahab’s chariot because he was empowered (graced) by the Lord.  Friends, it doesn’t matter how far behind you feel in life. God’s grace is able to provide you with speed and strength to get started and accomplish your God-given goals. How do I function in grace, you might ask? 

• Acknowledge your weakness, inability, limitation before the Lord and watch His strength become perfect in you, (2 Corinthians 12:9).  His grace is sufficient! 
• Ask for it always.  The Lord invites us to His throne of grace to find grace, (Hebrews 4:16).  His grace is readily available!

Second, the passage tells us that Elijah “girded up his loins”.  To gird up one’s loins means to prepare or equip oneself for a coming challenge.  Because of the long garment worn in ancient times, Elijah had to gather up the loose ends of his garment and tuck it into his girdle (i.e. a belt) so it would not impede his motion.  What steps are you taking now to get ready for the new year? Your experience in 2022 will be a reflection of your preparation. 

Saints, God will not do for us what we should do.  Yes, God will empower us, He will grace us, He will anoint us but there is a role we must play.  As anointed as David was, he still had to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 16 & 17).  Jesus turned water into wine after they had filled the water pots with water to the brim, (John 2:1-10).  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after they rolled away the tomb stone, (John 11:1-45).  In our text, Elijah exercised faith according to the word of the Lord by praying until God sent rain again.  Your preparation is a seed – if you have not planted any seed, then you give God nothing to bless.

Finally, Paul reveals in 1 Corinthians 15:10, that in spite of the grace of God upon his life, he worked harder than the other Apostles.  As you take your journey into 2022, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient and readily available to you, endeavor to gird up your loins.  Prepare, set goals, put plans in place, work hard, and coupled with the Lord’s hand on your life, you will be amazed at what God will accomplish with you in the new year and the years to come. 

From me and my wife, have a happy, prosperous and safe new year. Love you!!