Faith for the Journey: Five Days of Encouragement and InsightSample

Day Four: The Power of Preparation

God will put us through many seasons of waiting in our life, but it will never be without purpose. Just ask Joseph of Arimathea. We know from the Gospels that Joseph was a member of the Jewish Council, he was wealthy, and he had a burial place that he had purchased (John 19:41). I believe none of this happened by accident.

Joseph’s entire life up until this moment had prepared him for this great and courageous act of service. As Joseph grew he would have become familiar with the teachings of the Jewish faith. As he came into adulthood he would have taken on positions of service and leadership, rising to become a member of the council. This would have taken years of devoted service, gaining the respect, trust, and admiration of his peers. Through his exposure to the Scriptures and God’s teachings, Joseph’s eyes would have been progressively opened to the prophecies and teachings about the Messiah.

As Joseph heard the accounts of Jesus and likely heard Him speak firsthand in the temple, he would have begun to realize just who Jesus was. His quiet realization would lead him to step up on the night of Jesus’ crucifixion. Joseph’s life of faithfulness had prepared him for this exact moment.

Our time on earth, when set against eternity, is quite short. In Psalm 103:15–16 our days are compared to flowers in the field, resplendent one day and chaff the next. Only our faith and how we live for God’s glory last. This is what Joseph did. After a lifetime of patient and faithful service, honoring God, being sensitive to His Word, and fulfilling his role as a faithful steward, he was ready, and he acted in faith.

When we wait with Jesus through every season and every sorrow, we will ensure that whatever God requires of us each day, whether humble and selfless acts of uncommon love or grand acts of state, is the result of us being ready. That readiness is the product of the seasons of life God has taken us through during our lives.

Response:

Considering the Power of Preparation, think about a season of waiting or preparation you're currently in. How can you trust God's timing and purpose in this season, and what steps can you take to prepare yourself for His plans?

Prayer:

Lord God, we see in Joseph of Arimathea a reminder of how faithful you are to involve us in your work of redemption. Increase my readiness today, I pray, and lead me to the places where I can act in your name and for your glory. Amen.