Every day in this part of the world, it has become a norm to wake up daily to stories of killings, kidnappings, corruption, and the like. This evil has slowly become a norm such that people are no longer shocked to hear about the senseless killings and wanton destruction of lives and property. As a result of this unpleasantness, and the imminent threat to break down of law and order, we see the police and the army always dressed as if they are in a battle or about entering into one. They certainly cannot wait until the crisis is upon them before they go get dressed in the proper gear. There is a message in this for us as sons of God, if we would be like the sons of Issachar, to discern the times.
The Bible already warned us that the last days, which we are currently in, will be filled with violence and will be difficult: “But understand this, that in the last days, dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]” (2 Timothy 3:1 AMP). This Scripture calls for caution! If we agree with this, then, there must be a way we must be dressed and ready to live successfully in the times! When the children of Israel were about to leave Egypt, they were told to be dressed ready like people that were going on a journey not to return. And so they prepared!
We are in the same dilemma because the world is fast winding down. The people of the world know this and are preparing for it! The rise in deviant behaviors, throwing decency, honesty, and right living to the wind is just the ways they’re preparing. This is the reason we were warned: “Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]” (Romans 13:11, AMP).
Unfortunately, those at the altars, ill-prepare the congregation for how they should respond to the threats to their souls knowing fully well that the time is short! One even begins to wonder, how many even know there is a threat in the
air? If they do not know, how would they be dressed ready for what is to come? The Bible tells us: “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, AMP).
Those that know, how many are dressed in the right gear for “whatever may come” (Luke 12:35)? It is not until a threat becomes a reality that a child of God should be fully kitted (Ephesians 6:11). We must live to be ready at all times! You might argue that you are fully kitted. Praise God! But how dressed are you? Beloved, there is a pattern to the dressing, because if you miss this, you miss your ride home – eternity with God! When He comes for us, we must look and be dressed as He is! The dressing ready starts from here on earth: “Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after He comes]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory]” (1 John 3:2, AMP).
It then follows that daily, we must be ready, and equally ready for what we are asking of Him presently! The question God is asking you and I at this moment is: How dressed and ready are you? What state are you in spiritually, physically, and emotionally for that which you are asking for? You have been praying about a particular thing, you have waited and are still waiting… How much of God’s word do you have in you, how is your obedience? Are you waiting for the time to come before you get dressed? Whatever you are seeking now in this life and the life to come, you must be dressed and ready for it. Beloved, there will be no time to go get dressed; for your breakthrough, deliverance will come suddenly upon you. You can say amen, but are you prepared for it? When the children of Israel were about to leave Egypt, God gave them a pattern to dress. He did not need to do that! Beloved, this mandate is as much a spiritual one as is a physical one. He said: “Here is how you must eat it: dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand…” (Exodus 12:11a). Please do note that there were no indices on the ground to prove that Pharaoh would let them go because his heart had become hardened. But God told them to be dressed ready, like people that are going on a journey. And so it was…by morning Pharaoh practically pushed them out of his land. They did not scamper about to look for what to wear. Mothers run helter-skelter looking for their children’s shoes or the right outfit to wear. They were ready, prepared, and kitted in the right gear. Thus they marched majestically out of Egypt – an army of the Most High God.
Beloved, it is time to get properly dressed, ready for whatever may come. You that is trusting God for a job, a spouse, breakthrough – be dressed ready! Sandals on your feet, staff in your hand, belt tightened around your waist (Ephesians 6:10-18), and eat quickly for your redemption is here. Jesus Christ is nearer now than you think. Don’t wait for that which you have been praying for or the blast of the trumpet to scamper for what to wear. Dress up by eating God’s word, meditate, and obey what you have heard and read – then you are indeed dressed and ready! God bless you.
