Daily PresenceSample

When I was in high school I had little regard for being overly prepared for school. One particular instance stands out that illustrates this poor level of preparation. It was about 10:00 P.M. one evening whenI realized I had completely forgotten about a project that was due in Spanish class the next day. I was supposed to bring a 5 layer Mexican dip to class for our end of the year party and it was for a grade. I remember walking into my mom and dad’s bedroom that evening (they were asleep) and waking them up to share the good news-I needed to get mom to whip up the dip so I didn’t get a zero.

Needless to say this didn’t go over so well. Mom was NOT happy with my lack of preparation. She wasn’t upset about having to help with the class project, it was waiting until the last minute. Thankfully the project got done and by 11:30 that evening it was chilling in the fridge ready to accompany me to school the next day-Thanks mom!

Since high school I have matured in this regard and am now the parent that doesn’t like to have surprises or wait until the last minute to get something done. I like to be prepared, organized, and get things done ahead of time if possible. Reading today’s passage I couldn’t help but think that order and preparation come from God. As the Israelites are preparing to enter the land they’ve been promised by God, he works with them to get them prepared. He knows battles lie ahead and that specific things need to be done to prepare. In Numbers 1:2-3 he says, “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army.”

Without God’s guidance I wonder how prepared the Israelites would have been to go into the land-my guess is not very much. As Christians we must realize that God is always preparing us for things to come. The next challenge or battle is just around the corner so let us be open to the guidance of his Holy Spirit and listen so that we can follow his lead.