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If you were with us in 2020, you may recall, at the beginning of that year, God gave me several writings on something He spoke to me one morning. The word He spoke was, “Prepare.” That year, I wrote several messages on this. However, looking back, I wasn’t fully prepared. First of all, I had no idea what was coming. I have regretted not praying more into those words at that time.
I remember when God spoke those words to me; I thought He was telling me to spiritually prepare for something that was about to happen or come my way, and I did do that. When COVID hit, I was spiritually prepared and it didn’t rattle me. As the months dragged on, my faith did not move.
Desires Fulfilled Amidst the Battle
It was also during this season that the Lord showed me a Scripture from the Passion Translation: “May Yahweh give you every desire of your heart and carry out your every plan as you go into battle” (Ps. 20:4).
From this Scripture, I knew there was a battle ahead; BUT in the midst of the battle, God would give His people the desires of their heart. That is good news.
Remember, we are not fighting for victory, but from a place of victory. Victory was already attained at the cross. Our fight is a fight of faith. Our battle is a battle of standing firm on the promises of God. Still, there are times when God will tell us to prepare for what is ahead. He did it all throughout the Bible and He still does it today.
When He begins to speak to me this way, the first thing I prepare is my heart. I make sure everything is right in my heart. I make sure I am hearing His voice correctly. I set aside quiet time with God to ensure that my heart and faith are in position. Beyond that, if there is anything more that He leads me to do, I simply do it.
Be Ready in Season and Out of Season
I learned some things in 2020. I learned that while I was spiritually prepared, I was not prepared in the natural. Had I pressed into that word, I would have been prepared in both ways—spiritually and naturally. While I am not a “gloom and doom” person, I do choose wisdom. I learned from the lessons in 2020: stay prepared. The Bible tells us to be ready in season and out of season.
In the past two years, I have made sure to have things I may need stocked up for at least a month (food, necessities and anything else that pertains to me and my family)—not because I am afraid I won’t be able to get them, but because it will keep me out of the craziness that happens when things go wrong in our world. I can stay in peace in my home while the chaos is going on out there with people who are not prepared.
Who would have thought there would be a shortage of toilet paper for goodness’ sake? Who would have imagined people fighting over food and necessities? Yet we saw both of these things worldwide in 2020.
Deliverance and Victory Are of the Lord
This reminds me of another Scripture found in Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.”
Yes, we prepare and we plan when God leads us to, just like the Scripture tells us, “The horse is prepared in the day of battle…” But the horse doesn’t bring victory or deliverance—God does. Yes prepare! That’s important. It’s just as important, or even more so, to keep your ear open to God and what He is saying in this hour, for He alone will bring deliverance.
We can read about other instances where God said to “prepare” in the Old Testament. Whenever God was about to show up and come into the presence of His people, He always told them to prepare. That excites me! God is about to show up and show out! Are we ready? Are we prepared?
Why am I writing this today? Because recently one morning, when I awoke, one of the first words I heard was, “Prepare.” This time, I am praying into those words to make sure I am prepared spiritually, mentally and physically. I don’t know what is ahead, but this I do know: deliverance is of the Lord, and we, my friends, are about to see deliverance. Praise the Lord! {eoa}
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Kim Potter is the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to over 10,000 people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged and disappointed by the circumstances of life and imparts the desire and ability to stand against all odds; to stand for victory. She encourages people to press into God and discover that He is who He says He is.
James Lasher 
Abby Trivett 
