Dad's Advice: Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Matthew 24:42-44
How can we prepare for the unexpected? By preparing for what is expected, namely the
victorious return of Jesus Christ to restore all that Satan has torn apart.

How do you prepare for the unexpected? The answer is by preparing for what is expected. That’s what Jesus said all along. He said He’s coming back. Be prepared. He said He will return. Be awake. He said come to Me and know Me and you will find rest for your souls. The way we are prepared for the unexpected is by being prepared for the Lord Jesus and found in Him.Don’t even imagine the things that cause you fear in this world because God has this and He will return. That is why we can face anything, unexpected illness, heart attack, stroke, terror, war, famine, you name it. We can face those things because we know the one who’s promised that He will return, who will restore everything, who will renew what the adversary has torn apart.

As we see what is happening in our world today there is a tendency for many people either to try and ignore what’s going on and pretend that it doesn’t exist or to tremble with fear at the things that are coming on the world. Jesus said before the days of His return men’s hearts would fail them for fear at the things coming on the world. Quite frankly it doesn’t take a whole lot of studying the news today to produce fear. We live in uncertain times. We live in a time of terror, of asymmetrical threats when just one or a few people can accomplish things that even nation-states would not dare to attempt. We live in a time of international tension when we look at the things that are going on in our world.
But what Jesus says is, “Do not fear. Be ready. Be awake.” He calls us to turn to Him.

This is a remarkable and amazing time. In our own land, we have seen so many wander away from the Lord. Yet in the non-Western world people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ in remarkable numbers as they see incredible signs and wonders from the hand of the living God. In these days He is summoning us as well to look to Him, to return to the faith of our ancestors, to come back to those timeless truths of God’s word that it brought strength and peace and hope and joy and assurance to people throughout the ages. In this day God is calling you and me to be prepared for the unexpected by coming to the living God who knows us, who loves us, cares for us, and who spared no expense, who offered up His only Son so that you and I may have life. That is something that God offers to each and every one of us, whether you have been religious all your life or have never really been affiliated with anything that is Christian. God cares for you. He desperately desires that you know Him and experience a relationship with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a gift. It is free. It cost the son of God His life and His precious blood, but it gives to you and to me hope and assurance no matter what may be going on.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take you stand against the devil’s schemes…. so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand.” That is what God does. That is what Jesus offers. That is what the Scriptures promise and that, dear friends, is the only way to be prepared for the unexpected. Because no matter how strong you are, no matter how resilient you may be, no matter how determined you have been through out your days and your lifetime the unexpected can overwhelm unless our anchor holds in the Lord Jesus Christ. Back during the darkest days of the second world war at a time when many were wondering will the Nazis win and will the light of the nations be put out a couple of songwriters put together a song that I believe expresses very well how to prepare for the unexpected. It goes like this “In times like these, you need a Savior. In times like these, you need an anchor.” In times like these, that’s what we are living in. “Be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid rock. This rock is Jesus. Yes, he’s the one.” It is true. He is the steadfast rock who can take us through the storms of life, because our anchor rest secure in Him. That is how you prepare for the unexpected.

Let’s pray. Father, we bless You. We are amazed at Your goodness, overwhelmed by Your love, and in awe of your provision in Jesus our Savior. Lord, in times like these we truly do need a Savior. In times like these we really do need to be anchored into your faithfulness. And so wherever we are, whatever may be happening in our lives we return to the basics that You loved the world so much You gave Your only son, that through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ You offer forgiveness and full pardon to me and to all who call upon Your name. And we say, Come, Lord Jesus. Amen