Tuesday 21 May 2024

Be Prepared, Stay Ready

 

Image from stonedcampbelldisciple.com


I have always known the Boys Scout motto as “Be Prepared”, and while it is easy to assume its simple meaning as always being ready, out of curiosity, I googled it to know the organization’s true intent. According to the first chief scout of the movement, Lieut. Gen. Baden Powell C.B. The motto means to always be in “a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty. To have disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment and are willing to do it.”

When I read this description, the picture that came to mind was the prophetess Huldah. She was mentioned only twice in the Bible in 2nd Kings 22 and 2nd Chronicles 34, and it was the same story told twice. She was a prophet, and some theology says she was the wife of the keeper of the king’s wardrobe. It's safe to assume Huldah had her heart stayed on God’s Word because when King Josiah wanted to know what The Lord was saying, he sent men to inquire, and these men went to Huldah. She immediately answered them with “Thus says the Lord God……” and her words helped the king to repent and destroy idolatry in Judah.

This event is remarkable for me because females were not often publicly regarded in such positions in this era, but the men sent by the king to inquire of The Lord knew she was the one to go to for answers. There were no mentions of Huldah before this event, she wasn’t in the spotlight, dwelled in Jerusalem, and was supposedly always in the temple but they sought her out for the answers they needed.  

The Bible does not specify that they waited days to get her response, when the men came to her for answers, she boldly confirmed God’s word. Huldah stayed knowing the heart of God on matters that directly concerned her or others. Most of us can fall into the trap of being selfish with our prayers, it is not a sin or an intentional action, life happens, and we are stuck on seeking God’s help or opinion about a situation we find ourselves in but as children of God, He will sometimes speak to us or take us through an experience which will be primarily for and about others. Huldah most likely prayed for her country because the king wanted to know God’s decision for the nation and that’s what she told them.

Recently I was speaking to a friend, I do not even recall what led to that topic, but I remember being led to tell him that as Christians we need to learn to sit at the fountain, and not just come occasionally to drink water when we get thirsty. Our Christian walk is a way of life, not a performance. We don’t take off the clothes of holiness to do regular non-spiritual activities. Even in our state of rest or doing mundane activities like eating, chatting with friends, and exercising, God can still reach us, so we must remain in tune with Him and be ready to do what is required.

The message Huldah gave the men who came to her did not just get downloaded into her spirit when they arrived at her place. She knew God’s Word and intentions long before she was asked. I even imagined she may not have been praying when they got to her, the Bible didn’t specify anything about that, but I believe she stayed ready. Just like the scout’s movement says, Huldah was always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do her duty of obeying God. She remained disciplined in every season, she wasn’t caught by surprise, she was willing and did the right thing when the moment came.

I pray we all learn from Prophet Huldah’s life and be prepared for what God wants of us. We should ask Him to help us be open and ready always.

2 comments:

  1. This is one thing I have been telling myself recently. And I like the term you used in explaining this,
    “ staying at the fountain “ I guess this is a catch phrase for me to add to my board. Thank you!!!!🙏🏽 😘

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    Replies
    1. It's a necessary thing to ponder. And I pray we all get the desire to sit permanently and patiently.

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