I Was Prepared For This

I Was Prepared For This

By David Anthony Clarke, Sr.

Have you ever been caught off guard by a situation that nearly knocked off your feet? John Maxwell said, "The only adequate preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today." As David journeyed toward destiny, he made right use of his “todays” and it prepared him for what he would face in his “tomorrows.” If we are going to lead and make visions become realities, we need to prepare ourselves for success, failure, commendation, condemnation, the tragedies, and the triumphs that come along the way.

In II Sam. 5:17-25, David had just been elevated as King over all Israel and immediately faced repeated battles with the Philistines. Isn’t it just like the enemy to start some drama after you’ve finally been promoted into God’s promise? Nevertheless, this is no problem for King David. He's prepared for what he’s facing. He’s prepared today because of how he prepared himself yesterday! How do we prepare ourselves today for what awaits us tomorrow?

Pray Today

Prayer today prepares you for the pressures awaiting you tomorrow. Prayer is potent because it:

Releases the power of God (Acts 4:31).

Releases the Presence of God (II Chr. 7:1-2).

Releases the peace of God (Phil. 4:6-7).

David certainly knew how to get a prayer through. If we’re going to do great things for God, we will face situations where our level of preparation will determine whether we perish or prosper. Prayer helps to prepare us for what awaits us. How, then, should we pray? Pray using the R.O.B. factor.

Reflex. Prayer was a reflex for David. Prayer on the way to the throne prepared him for the battles he faced once he got there. One of the psalms he wrote before he became king, Psalm 34, shows this. In Ps. 34:4, for example, David shares how he sought the Lord as a reflex to his fears and found deliverance. This reflex served him well as he journeyed to the throne and prepared him for battles with his old enemies, the Philistines (II Sam. 5:19, 23). When he heard disturbing news, he sought God for guidance, and moved accordingly. What makes us and breaks us as leaders is how we react to the drama we face. Remaining calm, cool, and collected empowers us to make good decisions in tough times. Pray and may peace that passes all understanding keep your heart and mind (Phil. 4:6-7).

Often. As he faced this same enemy over and over again, David prayed over and over again (II Sam. 5:17-19; 22-23). In fact, he consistently prayed all the way to the throne and it prepared him for responding to the pressures he faced. How consistent are you in prayer? I have heard it said that prayer changes things. I believe it. I also believe that prayer changes people who pray. If you’re facing the same old enemies over and over again or needing God’s guidance over and over again, pray over and over again (I Thess. 5:17).

Brief. David was in the middle of warfare with the Philistines in II Sam. 5:17-25. He didn’t make time for long, drawn out, altar calls. He made his prayers brief-“Lord, shall I go up? Are you going to deliver them into my hands?” To say we do not have time for prayer is a lie. The truth is that we invest our time in what we deem important. It doesn’t take long to request and receive what we need in difficult times. Let me prove it to you. Say a brief prayer right now.

I pray that you’ll be prepared for everything that awaits you. Be encouraged. Keep leading. Keep praying. Press on!

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Comment by Earl W. Cornwell on March 9, 2008 at 8:59pm: Brother Clarke, your message has given me a renewed insight of how to handle unwanted Issues that comes unexpectedly.
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