He's Preparing Me

TITLE: HE’S PREPARING ME

SCRIPTURE: JOB 23:10

This morning I will present Part-Two from last week’s message. Last week we looked at John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. This morning I want to focus upon Jesus preparing the way for us. If you missed last week’s message, I encourage you to visit our Church Facebook page and view the message from last week. I lift as a thought this morning he’s preparing me. During this brief time together this morning, I want to examine one portion of how the Lord takes the time to prepare us. Not necessarily referencing preparing us for Heaven but preparing us as his disciples while we are yet living. As believers, we have a job to do.

Job said here in our text for examination -- “WHEN HE HAS TRIED ME, I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD.”

• Gold is tested by fire

• Saints are tested by adversity!

• None of God’s children enjoy the Refiner’s Fire

• But all of us experience it to one degree or another, at one time or another

It may or may not always be a physical trial, but it is always a spiritual trial! And we often find ourselves with a gamut of emotions -- Anger - Fear - Despair - Frustration -- and questions like “why me?” - “why now?” But as someone has said God takes us into his “darkroom” to develop our character.

• Our character is who we are when no one is watching

• Our true character comes out during the stormy times in our lives

• Our character is not defined and tested on the beach

• It is defined and tested during the storms

• Yes, HE’S PREPARING ME

It was the great preacher - C H Spurgeon, the Baptist “Prince of Preachers” of the 1800’s who experienced many physical and spiritual trials, said that there is no education like adversity, testifying

• I have derived more real benefit and permanent strength and growth in grace, and every precious thing, from the furnace of affliction, than I have ever derived from prosperity

• Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the top of a mountain

• So are many things learned in adversity which the prosperous man dreams not of

So, I suggest to us my brothers and sisters, that when we find ourselves going through stuff, it is God’s way of Preparing Us for the next level. One of our dear members said just last week, they have been saved for a few years now, but they find themselves in a position now where they are always repenting, struggling with various issues in this life. Can I suggest to you that He’s Preparing You.

• Sometimes we pass the test the first time

• Other times we simply take the same test over and over until we get it right

• We are not prepared during the Sunshine in our lives

• We are prepared during the Storms

• We are not prepared on the Mountain Top

• We are prepared in the Valley

He’s Preparing Me.

• MOSES was not prepared in the Palace – He was prepared on the back side of the Median Desert

• SHADRACH, MESHACH, and ABEDNEGO were not prepared in the King’s Court – They were prepared in the Fiery Furnace

• PETER was not prepared when he walked on the water – He was prepared when he began to sink

• JOSEPH was not prepared wearing his coat of many colors – He was prepared in the Pit

• JESUS did not prepare us while in the Upper Room – He prepared us on Calvary

The disciples experienced several “mountaintop moments” in their time with Jesus. But when a storm arose while they were out on the Sea of Galilee, fear took over. Amidst the roaring waves and with the boat rocking, Jesus’ chosen ones failed to recall the lessons they had learned about the power and purposes of their leader. Even the appearance of Christ walking on water didn’t bring immediate relief.

When trouble strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, just like the disciples did.

• We struggle to recall past answers to prayer - specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit - and lessons learned in previous crises

• Only the present discomfort seems real

• Our minds spin with future implications, and our troubled emotions inhibit clear thinking

In our own strength, we lack sufficient resources and abilities to meet life's challenges. So, God provides what we need.

• Our struggles are never a surprise to the Lord

• He knows everything we are going through

• More than that, He’s orchestrating our circumstances for His glory and our benefit, according to His good will