Almost every nation under the sun believes in military preparedness. They are armed to the teeth and the arms race continues to move at a rapid pace. It reminds us of that expressive verse found in Psalms 7:32:

“If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.”

The bow is already bent, the guns are loaded, the computers are on ready! We hope and pray for peace in the face of war. What a dilemma!

One great lesson can be learned out of it all. We had better be ready. Ready to think and act for our Lord while we have the opportunity. Are we on ready? Let’s consider a few ways we should be ready.

We should have a readiness (forwardness) of mind to study the Scriptures. In Acts 17:11, Paul made a comparison of two groups of saints and said:

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Two things are emphasized. They received the word and they searched the word. However, it must not be overlooked that they didn’t have to be coerced, pushed, or admonished to get into the word. They were on ready.

When there is a readiness to receive and search the good Word, there will follow a readiness to do the good work of the Lord. Paul, in writing to Titus, asked him to put the believers in mind to “be ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1).

This is emphasized in Titus. In Titus 2:7, young men are urged to be “patterns of good works”, and in Titus 3:14, we are urged to “maintain good works for necessary uses.” Yet, we had better be on ready or the opportunities to work will be gone forever.

It is surprising but disheartening to see how many of God’s saints are not ready to give to the Lord’s work. It seems as if there is a total lack of understanding as to the support of God’s work. Many give of their substance to cults, crooks, charlatans, but forget Christ. Maybe, they are unprepared, not ready. The people at Corinth were instructed by the apostle Paul:

“Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance out of that which ye have.” (2 Corinthians 8:11)

The mind and heart must first be willing and ready. Paul also wrote to Timothy and said:

“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” (1 Timothy 6:18)

The word “distribute” means willing to impart or give away in spiritual sharing.

Last, but not least, we should always be ready to preach the gospel. This shouldn’t refer to “preachers” only. Everyone should be on ready to announce the glad tidings of God’s love and grace through Christ. We should share our wonderful salvation with others. Paul told the Romans:

“So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” (Romans 1:15)

Paul wasn’t ashamed of the gospel. He knew it was the greatest power known or unknown. More powerful than man’s weapons which are so ready to destroy mankind. This “power of God” is ready to save completely and eternally.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)