Hope Beyond Lockdown: Part 2

Prepare for the Coming Day

In the first part of this message we learned about what God called His covenant people who obeyed and followed His direction – “special treasures”.  

Then our challenge was to put ourselves in the shoes of Moses and the Israelites concerning the relationship they had with the Lord.

This week we’ll pick up on the second part of the message God gave to Moses for the people.  It was to prepare!  What were they to prepare for anyway?  Anything … just be ready for something new and the unexpected!

Read Hope Beyond Lockdown Part 1 here.

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Getting the House in Order

When we are anticipating an event there are all kinds of things we need to do in preparation for the joyful day.   We’re thrilled about it, but then realize all we have to do to get ready for whoever might be coming.

The first thing that comes rushing to my mind is “THE HOUSE – I’ve got to clean the house, closets, drawers, basement, attic, etc …”  This doesn’t even include the outside like mowing, cleaning up any junk around the yard, watering, planting, weed whacking or anything else the people might see before they even enter the house! 

When we were first married my husband would ask, “Why do we have to clean the closet and drawers?”  Without hesitation I said, “Because they’ll look!”

I know, you probably think I was acting a little paranoid, but that wasn’t exactly the case.  Since the early days, Hubby no longer asks about those things and you know why?  We learned through the grapevine that there was a certain person who couldn’t resist opening all the cabinets while in the restroom.  Actually, it was his wife who squealed on him.

This wasn’t a big deal, being a close bunch.  However, my husband and I couldn’t resist having a little fun with our friend, so we prepared and set a trap.

One night we had a few friends over for dinner.  While everyone was in the dining area eating, we heard a noise coming from the other room.  Our friend had done what was expected … he opened the medicine cabinet and out rolled marbles off the shelves, bouncing onto the counter and down to the floor.

Those of us sitting at the table heard the loud crashing of marbles and our friend scurrying around the bathroom trying to pick up the little run-a-ways.  Hearing the restroom door close, we held back the laughter, pretending nothing happened.

After a long period in the bathroom our good friend came out with a big smile on his face.  “I guess you know what happened.” … end of story and snooping!   Such fun!

I know this may seem a little off topic, but the point is that it taught me to be prepared by keeping drawers and cabinets pretty much in order for the unexpected.  It’s the visible living space that causes the challenge these days! 

This leads me to other types of action that are initiated in preparation for things to come.  See if you can relate to any of this ...

Prep Time

If there is a menu to plan that means someone has to do the shopping for the food or decorative items.  Then prep time and actually making the meal has to be scheduled into the agenda along with the time and place for it.  Will it be sit-down or hands-on as in serve yourself buffet style?  This is only one part of the planning.

Entertainment?  Is there time for that and do we even want any?  I suppose it all revolves around the type of event.

What are we going to wear?  Is there something in the closet we can “make-do” with or will another shopping trip be added to the list for the adults, kids or pets?  Oh hubby needs a haircut ... call the barber!

Taking a bath and making sure to have clean clothes is usually on our list of things to do (at least I hope it is), and this was also a part of what the Israelites were told.

Besides presenting themselves physically clean, their mindset had to be right so they would be prepared spiritually as well.  Don’t forget, they’re about to witness and be a part of history in the making!

My husband and I were talking about what it must have been like in the Israelite camp.  Was there pandemonium and did they panic?  Can you picture the people gathering water, scrubbing clothes for the special occasion and doing a crash course in memorizing certain laws or scripture just in case GOD gave a surprise quiz?

“Then the LORD told Moses, go down and prepare the people

for My arrival.  Consecrate them today and tomorrow,

and have them wash their clothing.

Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day

the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.” (Exodus 19:10-11 NLT)

Who besides a girl dreaming about the perfect wedding would know where to start in preparing for the greatest day of your life?  The most important event was about to happen, and God only gave them a three-day notice! 

If you knew Jesus was making a visit in seventy-two hours what would you be rushing about to get done?  Would it be enough time to get ready spiritually, physically and mentally?  I’m sure everything else would come to a halt and I’d quickly grasp what really mattered.

Perfectly Prepared

Following the logistics of consecration was something the Israelites were accustomed to doing.  If you are not familiar with that term, essentially it means to totally dedicate yourself to God as something sacred and Holy for His purpose and glory.

“Special treasures” were to prepare themselves to do something beyond their abilities through the hand of God.  Preparing to be used by the Lord isn’t something that was only for the Israelites, but is also for us today.

In the New Testament of the Bible, the Apostle Paul instructs followers to live a consecrated, Holy and sacred life before the Lord.  We are to be set apart for worship, sanctification and no longer seek the ways of the world as we strive to live in God’s image and likeness.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies (dedicating all of yourselves, set apart) as a sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world (any longer with its superficial values and customs), but be transformed (interpreted as metamorphosis in the Greek) and (progressively changed as you mature spiritually) by the renewing of your mind (focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His plan and purpose for you). (Romans 12:1-2 AMP)

The only way we can do this is through the Holy Spirit and by spending personal time in fellowship with Christ.  Believers must learn to separate themselves from the world’s system or way of life, and follow after God in order to receive the blessings of His favor through covenant living. 

“What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said:  I will dwell among them and walk among them; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be My people. 

So, come out from among unbelievers and be separate, says the Lord.  And do not touch what is unclean; and I will graciously receive you and welcome you with favor.

And I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 AMP)

A dedicated person has a willing heart that longs to spend time with the Lord.  They are sorry for their sins and ask God’s forgiveness.  With a heavy heart they repent, acknowledging that they need a Savior and cannot make it through this world on their own.

Stepping into their new life being forgiven, with an attitude of gratitude and love for their Savior, they have made the decision to dedicate their entire being (spirit, soul and body) to the calling of God for His use and Divine purpose.  The believer remains committed to following God’s commands through His new birth covenant, by staying consecrated to the Lord through daily fellowship and worship.

Moses pursued God everyday in the decisions he had to make.  He relied on the wisdom of Jehovah as a guide to lead the special treasures of God.  It was a big responsibility that Moses didn’t take lightly and he prepared for each step through consecration, setting himself apart for the Lord every day for the rest of his earthly life.

God didn’t expect Moses or the Israelites to be perfect, but to be faithful in their walk (lifestyle) and to always be prepared for His appearing to give instruction.  If they would draw closer to Him, He would stay close and reward them with favor for the journey to the promised land.

Hopelessly Devoted

When the Israelites lived in Egypt, they were in their own type of lockdown having no freedom or religious rights.  It was through their prayers and cries to the LORD that He delivered them out of the hands of their oppressors.

At that time God commanded the Israelites to consecrate themselves to be His Holy people, not as part of their salvation, but because of His love for them.  We cannot “be Holy” apart from God, and only through belief in His Son Jesus can a person be saved and forgiven of sin.

The Israelites were not delivered out of Egypt because they always did right, but because God loved them and heard their plea for help.  They were hopelessly lost and realized they needed a Deliverer to save them. 

When God answered their prayers, the hopeless souls became hopelessly devoted to follow a God who cared so much that He would send someone to lead them to the covenant promised land.  He’s still answering those prayers and hears the cries of His people.

Grafted in at Calvary

God would repeatedly tell His special treasures to “be My Holy devoted people” and to set themselves apart for worship.  This command has not changed for believers under the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ that covers sin.

We don’t follow a cloud by day or fire in the sky by night, but believe in the work of Christ on the cross of Calvary to save souls.  It is through the unmerited, undeserved favor of God’s loving grace and mercy, just like it was for the Israelites, that God saves and delivers us out of the hands of the enemy (oppressor).

As God gave commands to His special treasures during the time of Moses, Jesus, God’s Son, has spoken the same words to us – His grafted in special treasures.  We are recipients of the same covenant promises and have been grafted in by faith believing that Jesus died for the forgiveness of sinners at Calvary, rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God in Heaven.

“And if some of the branches were broken off (some of the Jewish faith have fallen away from the covenant through unbelief), and you (Gentiles), being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them (the Jews), and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness (favor and blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants) of the olive tree.” (Romans 11:17 emphasis mine)

I cannot say this any clearer than the Phillips translation; take a look:

“If some of the branches of the tree have been broken off, while you, like shoots of wild-olive, have been grafted in, and don't share like a natural branch the rich nourishment of the root, don't let yourself feel superior to those former branches.  (If you feel inclined that way, remind yourself that you do not support the Root, the Root Jesus supports you.)

You may make the natural retort, but the branches were broken off to make room for My grafting!  It wasn't quite like that.  They lost their position because they failed to believe; you only maintain yours because you do believe.  

The situation does not call for conceit, but for a certain wholesome fear.  If God removed the natural branches for a good reason, take care that you don't give Him the same reason for removing you."  (Romans 11:17-21 PHILLIPS)

For those who have been redeemed by the saving grace (unmerited favor) of God, we too are to obey and “be Holy as His Father is Holy”.  Believers are still to consecrate themselves before the Lord not to earn His favor, but because we have been given favor and receive covenant blessings that we have not earned or deserved!

This Week’s Challenge:

Preparing for Beyond Lockdown

There is a new day coming when God will reveal Himself for the upcoming events in our life.  He has and always will speak to His special treasures to guide them through His favor and blessings.  Our part is to recommit our lives to the Lord through consecration so we can hear from Him.

God knows what He is about to do beyond this pandemic, but we have not heard His voice, because we have strayed from believing and obeying His commands.  As God instructed, it's time to set ourselves apart from this world and come into His throne room with praise and worship.

God told Moses to remind the people of all He had done for them in the past that proved He alone was the One True God.  I present that same 7 Step Challenge so that you are prepared beyond this pandemic lockdown.

7 Steps to Beyond Lockdown

1 - Physically set yourself apart from others and household distractions such as the television, radio, computer or phone.  This is part of removing yourself from idols or anything else that takes your mind off of the Lord.

2 - Prepare your heart for thanksgiving, praise and worshiping the Lord.  With pen in hand (yes, not your phone or any other electronic device), write down all the things the Lord has done for you including His good gifts you have not deserved.

3 - Write down all the things that have kept you away from the calling on your life.  What distractions or interruptions have stolen your time and prevented you from doing what God instructed by giving Him precedence in your life?

4 - Humbly go before the Lord in prayer and repent of your actions, attitudes, excuses, hateful thoughts or laziness.  Ask for forgiveness if you have been greedy, contentious in spirit, lusted after others or their belongings.

5 - Pray that others have not turned from God because of something they saw in you that was not in His image, and that He sends someone across their path that would bring them back to the Lord.

6 - Recommit your heart and life to the Lord by consecration to clean Holy living before Him.  Declare your love and loyalty to His commands and covenant.  Seek His ways and ask for God to clearly reveal Himself to you as He did to Moses and the Israelites. 

7 - Get ready for the day Christ makes His appearance.  Moses was instructed to tell the people to prepare for a new day, a new thing the Lord was doing among them.

God would come in a cloud personally to increase their faith.  They would hear His voice and believe the prophets words forever.  (Exodus 19:9) Like Moses told the people of Israel, believer’s in Christ are to speak the same words to the lost, and remind fellow believers of Jesus’ coming. 

The message for the Israelites is the same for you and I today.  Prepare to hear God’s voice through consecration to Him.  Set yourself apart as His special covenant treasure.  Grow in His marvelous love and grace as you get to know Him.  There is no greater joy than to experience the love of God through Christ Jesus.

After you have obeyed through preparation, get ready to receive His favor.  Rest assured that time spent purposely growing your relationship with Jesus will give the peace needed for moving forward to the unknown.

Don’t be shaken by what is happening in the world, but plant your feet on the solid foundation of Jesus.  Think back to when God’s goodness and mercy has been with you providing whatever you needed.  He made a way, calmed the troubled seas and parted the waters so you could “walk” through to safety. 

This is the covenant God Who is working all things for your good, because His promises are yes, and amen!

“For all the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are Yes, 

and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” 

(2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV)

It's not a time to be distressed, fearful or full of worry, but an opportunity to believe God for favor bigger and better than ever imagined.  He knows the desires of your heart and His covenant promises are real.  Let Him lead you into new prospects, blessings and victories that will take your hope beyond lockdown and into glory. 

“There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them, and that this relationship (through covenant) guarantees God’s favor to them in life, through death and on forever.” 

J.J. Packer

The God I Know by Chris Tomlin

Until next time, prepare for beyond lockdown favor! 

“Consecrate yourself to Me for favor that removes oppression.”

- Jesus Christ

Read Hope Beyond Lockdown Part 1 here.

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.   

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