Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:13
For several years prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Christians had joined the ranks of “preppers,” buying long-term dehydrated food, acquiring solar-powered generators, even creating “safe” spaces in homes or community centers. They were planning for some ambiguous future disaster, even the onset of the Tribulation period. Little did they know how hunkered down they were going to be in the months of coronavirus lockdowns.
The Bible teaches about prepping – not the stockpiling of food before a disaster (although there is the account of Joseph and the Egyptian drought), but primarily about psychological and spiritual preparedness. Rather than store up nonperishable foods, God wants you to store up His Word. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart.” In 2 Peter 3, the apostle writes, “by way of reminder, you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord.” Peter then goes on about preparing for what is ahead.
The Bible is clear: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty” (2 Timothy 3:1). Indeed, many have abandoned the things of the Lord to live for themselves, and deception has become commonplace in the United States. Let this be a reminder to stay in the Word of God, to memorize it, and to store it up for the day when you will need to recall specifics. Be encouragers of one another to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His Word. Pray for God’s protection over those who love Him in this nation, and ask that His Spirit draw others to Him and His love while there is still time.
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Peter 3:1-10
3 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
