Great Things Are Prepared For You

by Monica Hernandez
Published November 28, 2005

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor. 2:9).

A crowd of about fifty people gathered in a local church hall for a baby shower. There were excitement, fun, laughter and plenty of food for the celebration of the new addition to the church family. Gifts for Jason, a two_week old boy, were plentiful and of a wide variety.

There were lots of clothing, shoes, toys, games and story books, even summer hats that will take the young fellow another year or more to fit into; there were also a high chair and car seat. Most of Jason’s gifts will be laid up for his use, a couple years from now.

As I watched the array of gifts and that wonderful fellowship, I could not help thinking: "Here is a baby just two weeks old, not even aware of what is going on in his behalf...just sleeping away contentedly in his grandmother's arms..." It reminded me of the above text: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard what things God has prepared for them that love Him." I left that gathering with a deeper realization of God's everlasting providence for us.

Jesus taught that "if we, as earthly parents know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father give to us, His children..." (Matthew. 7:11). Think of what it means to us to give gifts to our children for their comfort and enjoyment. And it makes our hearts glad when they appreciate our gifts and are happy. Think of what it means to our Father to lavish His best, both spiritual and material, upon us. It gives Him pleasure and delight when we appreciate His gifts and we are happy.

Our heavenly Father is a God of preparation and plan. He knows our needs and has prepared and laid up the potential of wonderful things and conditions for us as fulfillment of our needs, both spiritual and material, till the time we are spiritually and physically ready to receive them. What has God prepared for us?

Read all of Psalm 23 and meditate upon its truths, trusting the Lord; He will give you a deeper insight into His ways. As you contemplate the goods of His table, be reminded of what a flash of light does to the presence of darkness—be reminded of the possibility of good imposing itself on what is not so good. He has prepared a table (good things) in the presence of our enemies (fear, doubt, lack of faith) and other negative traits. The table is strength, sustenance, goodness of every sort, and it is eternal.

However, it is our responsibility to prepare ourselves to receive what God has prepared for us. How? We make ourselves prepared to receive God’s gifts by first recognizing all good things are already prepared potentially, awaiting a manifestation. We also make ourselves ready by contemplating the truths of God and aligning ourselves with God’s storehouse: the Kingdom of heaven.

In addition, we make ourselves ready by growing into spiritual maturity: being constantly in prayer, listening for His voice, watching for His leading, studying the Scriptures and meditating therein.

Maybe there is a vocation or career you are pursuing or some condition you would like to have in your life, and you are wondering why God is taking so long to bring it to pass. But what you might consider to be a long wait or God’s not answering your prayers is simply His way of preparing you as a vessel to receive what He has prepared for you. He is making you ready. He is preparing you through various exercises and experiences to bring you to that point of being ready to receive.

At this very moment God is preparing great things not only for you but also for His universe and all humanity. Never mind what might seem evil in the world at this time, there is great good prepared for us in a golden age that is to come—all in God’s timing.

Whenever you become impatient with God about your life, think about the baby Jason, not even being aware of the great things that are prepared for his use, years in the future. Keep in mind too, that what God has done for others He will do for you. All in all, accept Jesus' saying in our foundation text as truth. Be encouraged and be blessed.

Suggested Readings: Psalm 103:2_6; Jeremiah 24:6,7; Matthew 7:9-11; Matthew 16:19; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Revelation 2:10.

Reflection: At this very moment, God is preparing great things for me.

Prayer: "Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not His benefits. Be with me always, O Lord and let patience never depart from me. Amen."

Viewed 574 times