I remember the Y2K fears of the late 1990’s. People were afraid that computer systems would not handle the year 2000 correctly because programmers used a 2-digit year. At work, I was tasked with contacting service providers to ask about their preparedness for the year 2000.
Recently, I watched a political program about threats to US democracy. The commentator warned the audience that 2024 is going to be a difficult year.
I was not prepared for the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. I was shocked to hear that over 80% of “evangelical” Christians voted for a man who is the complete opposite of Christ.
For me, preparing for 2024 isn’t about preparing for a political battle but for a spiritual one. How does one prepare spiritually for a year that promises to be tumultuous and perhaps even life changing?
1. Choose to be on God’s side.
When I recommitted my life to Christ, it was because I saw the destructive power of hate and darkness, and I wanted to be on the side of love and light. God revealed his goodness through Jesus.
Which side do you choose?
– Hate or love
– Deception or truth
– Selfishness or charity
– Vengeance or forgiveness
– Grievance or gratitude
– Discord or peace
– Division or unity
– Pride or humility
– Self-interest or the interest of others
– Lawlessness or accountability
All of us behave in ways that do not reflect God’s goodness. But I will have nothing to do with the perverse of heart.
The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
Psalm 101:4
2. Stand firmly with God’s protective armor.
The Apostle Paul described how to prepare for spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:19-18). Put on the full armor of God – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (God’s word), with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
I struggled with Paul’s description of footwear. Obviously, you don’t go into a battle with bare feet. To stand firmly in God’s armor, you need sturdy shoes.
But why mention the gospel of peace? Well, it is because salvation brings peace that surpasses all understanding. In other words, when we are saved, we can be at peace in all circumstances.
In an article on the shoes of peace, Stacey Salsbery pointed out that the enemy wants to steal our peace. He wants us to be anxious and afraid. If we worry about bad things that might happen, we won’t focus on advancing God’s kingdom.
Christine Batchelder made similar observations. She wrote that the Greek word for prepared, hetoimos, means sure-footed, established, ready to go. We should be so established in peace that we are prepared to share the good news.
3. Trust in God’s sovereignty.
We may get so distressed about current events that we ask, is God in control? He is omnipotent, so why doesn’t he prevent bad things from happening?
God permits Satan and man to act. Man has free will. John Piper explains that permitting man to act is part of God’s ultimate design and final control. He allows us to make bad choices, knowing He can work them into his overall plan for human redemption.
God is my help and my shield. I trust his holy name. His purposes are good. He has pulled me through every challenge I’ve ever faced.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
Psalm 33:11
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
4. Be alert and pray.
Be on your guard against the wiles of Satan. Don’t let him steal your peace.
Pray about your worries and concerns. Pray for God’s will to be done. Pray for God’s kingdom. Pray that God will use whatever happens in 2024 to bring people to him.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for my salvation. Thank you for pulling me through dark and distressing times. Keep my eyes focused on you and your will for my life. Make me an instrument of your peace and prepare me to share the good news.
Innermost Being 