"The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord," (Proverbs 16:1).
When Paul was on board a prisoner ship sent to Rome, he was prepared. His preparation was not the result of living life on the surface of things.
On the ship after the storm erupted, we see something else erupted. He stood before the crew and prisoners and said, "God, whose I am..."
If you cannot say "God, whose I am...," then you will never be really prepared for those unpredictable episodes of life. You will stumble over details, lack the courage and whimper in the corner until life comes crashing in on you. No, the only preparation is a totally yielded life to Him - daily. "God whose I am..." means we are not our own. The mystical result of this trust will be God's presence and sufficiency. Out of your heart will erupt a sense of the grand scheme of things.
Can you imagine Paul trembling, confused, or foolishly jesting, or depressed on board the ship? I can. I've been there.
Paul was alert to what was happening on the ship. Evangelism and the testimony of Christ was in his mind. He understood that God was in charge. God saved all 276 lives and they had met a "prepared man."
Our preparation is not the result of predicting the future - nor the result of controlling external circumstances or people, it is simply reckoning on God with absolute surrender and worship as a way of life. Through His Word and His people, He then gives us strength, wisdom and peace. What an incredibly invaluable perspective - God only "whose I am and whom I serve" (Acts 27).
Let us come to God for doctrinal thinking and godly preparation. We will not be ultimately ashamed. There is a poor wise man who can grasp the weight of the hour and the message of Christ. Let us ask Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Noah, David, Esther if God gave them divine preparation. They are our examples.
Are you awake? Are you prepared?
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