Prevention
This is the act of stopping something or making sure something doesn’t happen. My Mom used to say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. She was speaking in terms of preventing sickness by taking measures. In a pandemic there are all sorts of preventative measures that we take to prevent the spread of the COVID virus.
I think there are things that I simply can’t prevent. I can’t prevent auto accidents. I can drive carefully to hopefully prevent my being in one. I can do my part to prevent bad health later in life. I had a friend who used to say that he could eat healthy, exercise daily and still get hit by a truck and die. He was not a fan of prevention.
The people responsible for Jesus’ death wanted to prevent a resurrection. They pulled out all the stops to try to silence Jesus, but Sunday is coming. Check this out…
62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”
65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. (Matthew 27:62-66 NLT)
Their best efforts couldn’t prevent the miracle of the resurrection, but they sure tried. I believe there is something to be learned from this. No matter how hard I try, when God is ready to act, I can’t hinder or stop it. I must trust Him and His way. I do ask the Lord’s help in preventing me from stumbling and sinning. I do ask for the Lord’s favor upon me. I do ask the Lord to help me be alert and responsive to Him. My best efforts and plans can’t alter God’s will for me. He is in charge, and I trust Him completely. I do want the Lord’s help in preventing me making dumb decisions that are destructive. I need miracles in my life every day to keep me close to the Lord. They are not as big as the resurrection, obviously, but they are big to me. The miracles of God in my life (and me noticing them) keep my attention and help provide prevention for my sinful nature which tries to take over.
Pressing On!
Dwayne