I'm Up World! Ready or Not! ©  

Of course, I don't remember the day, but I do remember my aunt telling me about it. According to her descriptive details, when I was about four years old, I had stayed overnight at their house. They only had one bedroom, so when I stayed there, I slept on a little bed on the floor, made out of a pile of Michigan-winter coats. She said that in the morning, I sat up, stretched my hands in the air, ran them through my tasseled hair, and declared: “I'm up weerld. Weddy or not!”

“Weddy or not…here I come….Weddy or not!” I can still see my own grandson standing with his then three year old hands over his face, fingers spread wide, as squinting eyes peered through and tried to follow his twin brother to his hiding place.

Ready or not! Isn't that the way life comes at us? Ready or not. We really do not have a choice in the matter. Or do we?

Joshua told the people to prepare their provisions; “for within three days you are to pass over the Jordon, to go in to take possession of the land which the Lord your God gives you to possess.” (Joshua 1:10-11) He told them ahead of time to prepare because there was going to be a battle and they were going in to possess. They really didn't know every detail, or how it all would play out, but they were given prior warning that it was time to prepare. To prepare, they had to pull together what they had, make a decision about what was really necessary, and get it into a form that could be taken with them.

Sometimes life seems so hard. It seems that everything hits without any warning at all. I've been thinking lately about those hit by fire and flood in our nation. How could one prepare to lose everything? Even if you had a few hours or even a day to prepare, how would you start? How does one get up after that? What makes the difference between the person who gives up, perhaps on life literally, and one who is a survivor and arises again?

Isn't it a mindset? Isn't it the way we think? Isn't it those who have learned to live a lifestyle of pulling together what they have, making a decision about what is truly necessary, and keeping it ready in a usable form? Remember, Joshua told the people to prepare their provisions.

Do you realize who that provision is? We can know that our provision is prepared for the best of times and the worst of times. One of the names for God is Yahweh Yireh. The Hebrew word ‘Yireh' comes from a root meaning ‘to see'. This is packed with meaning and it is translated ‘one who provides'. Since God can see the future, as well as the past and present, he is able to know what will be needed and fully able to provide. The English word ‘provision' comes from two Latin words meaning to see ahead of time. God is our provision and knows ahead of time just what will be needed.

If the people trusted Joshua, they did what he said. If there was any lack of trust, their enemies would defeat them even before the battle began. The enemy Division would raise his ugly head and little discussion groups would form around the camp fires at night. Did Joshua know what he was talking about? Was he going about it right?

Doubt would settle in. Before long, Doubt would join hands with Distrust, and many would head to bed, preparing nothing…unprepared and unconcerned. Joshua's army would arise at dawn, much smaller than he expected, and begin to walk out in obedience the march to battle and victory! One thing was sure: Those who did not prepare, would not take the city.

The battle goes on around us. Life hits, and life hits hard. The mystery of who survives is hidden in our being prepared with our Provider. We must not sit around our present day camp fires distracted by Doubt, Division and Distrust.

How does a marriage survive the trials of life? It is in the preparation…the preparation of the the covenant. It is in the determination to prepare the mind to stick to the covenant. Whether in sickness or in health, in abundance or in want, in life and in death…I am prepared to stand. Provision has been made.

When Daniel faced the fiery furnace, he told the King that he knew His God would provide, and “if he doesn't, nothing will change.” He would not bow to the king's music. He had no doubt that his God would provide. He had no doubt that his God would deliver him. He knew the provision was already made.

If we listen to the news, read the papers, talk to our neighbors, and watch the way our government is moving, it is easy to see darkness all around. Every day seems to get darker. I am not going to say that it hasn't been tough…real tough…at my house. But I am reminded to “prepare my provision”. I know Who He is. I remember the covenant!

Sometimes in the pace of life, it is easy to get caught up with what the circumstances are, and forget the warning to be prepared. We have been called to take the city! It is time to rise up and prepare. Hide your Provision in your heart. There are so many forms we can use. He has promised to be always present, but we must prepare. Journaling, special prayer times, study groups, fellowship, writing out the scriptures, fasting, feasting on Truth…what do you need to do to be prepared with your Provision?

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she went to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone: Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; One thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10: 40-43)

Yes, it is needful to prepare for the future. But let's be sure to be ready with the ‘Good Portion' first. “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Ps. 16:5-6)

I'm up world, ready or not! I think that it is time for this to become out battle cry. “We're up world! Ready or Not!” The question ought not to be: Are we ready for the next crisis? But rather: Is the world or the crisis ready for us? I bet the Jordan never saw that giant punch coming! It could do nothing but stand back! It is time for the church to shine! We are going to take the city.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3) ©

Susan Chapman Brown

www.Arisingtoexcellence.org