As we were enjoying breakfast together one morning, Stan mentioned that he had been focusing on something he called the importance of the third day. I assumed he was talking about the importance of Jesus’ resurrection and asked, “The third day? You mean Jesus’ resurrection on the third day?”
“That’s obviously a most important third day,” Stan replied, “but what I was focusing on in my journaling time was the third-day conversation between God and Moses.”
“The third-day conversation between God and Moses? What’s that?”
In the Book of Exodus,” Stan said, “there’s an account where God told Moses to have the people prepare for His coming down on Mount Sinai the third day. The people were to prepare to meet God, and it’s the same thing for me today.”
“How so?”
“I’m to be prepared to meet God not only on a third day, but on every day. In the first place, I’m to be prepared to step into eternity and meet Him at any time.”
“As well,” he added, “for as long as I remain on this side of eternity, every day I’m to be prepared to seek what He knows I need to be His for whatever He has in store for that day.”
“So,” I said, “the point is to be prepared for whatever God has for me. Is that it?”
“That’s it, my friend,” Stan replied. “Treat every day as the third day!”
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Bible verses to consider:
The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” Exodus 19:10-11.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you that He came down to provide that life. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t prepare to meet you on a daily basis and, as a result, I miss what you have for me to be and to do for you and your kingdom. Please forgive the foolishness of seeking to live the new life you’ve provided without being prepared to meet you! Help me follow every step of your lead in being prepared to meet you and to be involved in what you have for me. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Are you prepared to meet God in the eternal sense by having accepted the way to life eternally with Him through Jesus, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain apart from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with being prepared to meet God each day while you remain here so you can be involved in what He’s doing for His kingdom? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to be prepared to meet Him, not just for eternal purposes, but for what He has for you each day while you remain here? Spend time on this studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?