Muster and Provision

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 20

Scripture Focus: And the people of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went against them. The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country. (1 Kings 20.27)

Devotional Thought: Do you ever feel overwhelmed? I do! The people of Israel did when they were encamped before their enemy, “like two little flocks of goats”, while their enemy “filled the country.” But, there was a difference that the Syrians couldn’t see. God had said, “I will give all this great multitude into your hands” (v. 28). The king of Israel believed this, and because he believed it, he took the next step. He mustered and provisioned the army.

Are you waiting on God to take the next step? Instead of waiting, perhaps you should muster and provision yourself.

· To muster means assemble troops in preparation. Get your team ready. Get your prayer warriors lined up. Bring them together and pray and plan.

· To provision means to give the troops what they need. Share the vision, invest in the project, and put the tools that they need in their hands.

Then wait. The battle will be joined at the right time. God is waiting for you to make yourself ready.

Several years ago, Lana and I were in a time of transition. We weren’t pastoring a church. We didn't have jobs. It had been that way 5 months. We didn’t know where we were going next. One day, when I was at the hardware store – I remember it clearly – God spoke to me. He told me, "It's time." I went home and told Lana. We believed God and put the house on the market to get ready for what God was going to do. Within twelve days, we had a signed offer on our house, and an interview scheduled for the church where we eventually were called to serve!

What is God calling you to do? Have you “mustered and provisioned”?

Prayer: Lord, when you show me the way forward, help me to believe you, to take the next step, to "muster and provision." I want to be used by you. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 125.1-5

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds his people,

from this time forth and forevermore.

3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest

on the land allotted to the righteous,

lest the righteous stretch out

their hands to do wrong.

4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,

and to those who are upright in their hearts!

5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways

the Lord will lead away with evildoers!

Peace be upon Israel!