April 21 - Prepare Before You Build.

Proverbs 24:27
“Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.”
 
What is necessary is vastly more important than what is convenient.
Sometimes we must do more and work harder in order to do what is right. It is easy to settle for second best, but that is not what God has intended for His children.
 
When we choose to follow the Lord, we must exchange our will for His.
If we decide to follow while harboring our own plans, our partial surrender will only lead to confusion and chaos.
 
Nehemiah had a burden for what God had called him to do. Had he not prayed and followed the Lord in order to prepare for what He had planned, the wall would not have been built with such leadership.
 
Nehemiah 2:18
“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”
 
Solomon prepared for the work of building the temple before construction began. Had he started to build without a plan or preparing the materials needed, the work would not have been productive or effective.
 
1 Kings 6:7
“And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”
 
When God directs us to do something for Him, our initial obedience is only the beginning. He then begins preparing us to accomplish the task that He has given, all the while providing the means and ability to allow it to come to pass for His glory.
 
Joshua 22:26-27a
“Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice: But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD…”
 
Where God guides, He provides.
Prepare before you build.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Judges 11-12  |  Acts 22  |  Proverbs 21