For many people, the phrase “Prepare to Meet thy God” brings to mind an archaic tone of a fearful thing like death or judgment. In the Old Testament, prophets use the terms mostly to warn the Israelites about God’s disapproval of their idolatry and sinful ways. But for Christians, these words are simply constant reminders that we are God’s most important creation. We are made in His likeness, and God wants us to be in fellowship with Him every moment of our lives.
In a practical sense, we are meeting God every day as He resides in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But its astounding meaning denotes judgment and resolution regarding the conduct of our affairs. But still, the Bible reveals to us the paramount importance of being ready to meet Him in finality, whether in His judgment seat or at the end of times.
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What Does The Bible Say About Preparing To Meet Thy God?
Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.—Amos 4:12
From around the 8th century BCE to the present day, the Book of Amos[1] is regarded as a prophetic book in the Hebrew Bible. Modern-day Christians and Jews regard it as a piece of sacred scripture, and it tells of the visions that it believes its author was given by our great God to warn the Israeli people that their religious responsibilities to God must be restored in order to avoid impending doom.
As part of these duties, Amos advises the Jewish kingdoms of Israel and Judah to refrain from engaging in sin and evil, which he believes to have been plaguing both the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. The Lord told him: “Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:15). Young men and old people have suffered from their rebellion against God. The Lord’s wrath also threatened their vineyards, olive trees, and fig trees.
In the New Testament, the phrase “Preparing to Meet Thy God” is often preached by Jesus Christ and the apostles as alluding to: “stand holy to meet your God.” Jesus is called “Emmanuel,” meaning: “God be with us.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God indwells in us every moment of our lives. In sum, to meet thy God, prepare for the following:
- Judgment Seat of God
- Death of Man
- Fellowship with God
- Spiritual Encounter with God
- End of Times
How Can We Prepare To Meet Thy God?
Consecrate Yourself
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”—Joshua 3:5
Consecration is to dedicate yourself to meeting our living God. It is an act of obedience, devotion, and holiness—a way of building up faith and allowing yourself to be closer to the Lord. It is about taking time away from the distractions of the world and focusing on God and His will for your life.
By devoting ourselves to the Lord, we can learn to be more obedient, devoted, and holy as we seek to draw closer to Him. It is also a time of reflection, prayer, and study, where we can grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God. In consecration, we can learn to be more like Christ and more committed to His will.
Be Prayerful
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.—1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
In His earthly ministry, the disciples often asked Jesus: “Lord, teach us how to pray.” The Lord responded by teaching them the Lord’s Prayer which captures the whole essence of His will. The Bible says that prayer is an essential part of a relationship with God. Jesus prayed even in the morning darkness. When we pray without ceasing, we open ourselves up to God and make Him the center of our existence.
Through prayer, we can exalt God, express our gratefulness for His provision and protection, and plead for His forgiveness for our sinful state. When we pray, we can be sure that God hears us and will answer us in His perfect timing. As we pray, we are also able to draw closer to Him and meet Him in a deeper way.
Read God’s Word
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.—2 Timothy 3:16
God’s Word is the source of truth that provides us with a glimpse of God’s will and character. It contains His commands and reveals what is pleasing to Him. When we read the Scriptures, it helps us understand His ways and how to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
The Bible also prepares us to meet Him when we depart this world or have an encounter with Him. By reading God’s Word, we can learn how to love God and our neighbors, how to forgive, and how to live in obedience to His commandments.
Church, Praise, And Worship
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.—Hebrews 10:24–25
In the church, we see the hands and feet of Jesus. Attending church services is a command from God because it is a gathering of believers to meet God. We can praise and worship Him and be part of a congregation of saints, sanctified by God. Through church assembly, we can find strength and encouragement to live a life that is pleasing to God and other people.
We can also find comfort and hope in the Word of God, and be blessed by fellowship and songs of praise. The church is a place to learn more about God and His will for our lives. As we join together and share our faith in Jesus Christ, we can experience a sense of community, belonging, and sanctification on these holy days.
When Should We Get Ready To Meet Thy God?
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.—1 Peter 1:13
The time to get ready to meet God is now. We have offended God countless times, and God’s justice requires us to pay the price for our sins. But God’s love provides a remedy. The incarnation and death of God’s own Son is the ultimate payment for our iniquities. Our sins cannot be forgiven unless we accept Christ into our hearts, making His death an effective atonement for our sins.
Isaiah 53:6 reads: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” However, the tendency is to procrastinate—to “put off” or “delay” a decision until later. Instead, we must act now and stand ready to meet God.
Why Should We Be Prepared At All Times To Meet Thy God?
We Do Not Know The Time Of Judgment
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.—2 Corinthians 5:10
We cannot predict God’s judgment, such an hour only the Father knows. But we do know that all will be judged. Whether one is good or bad in their earthly life, all will be judged accordingly. Those who lead a righteous life will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven, while those who live sinful life will be punished and sent to hell.
It is important to remember that our earthly lives are just a small portion of our existence; the afterlife is much more important and eternal. We must strive for obedience to God so that we can be rewarded with a place in heaven. The judgment of our Lord God is final, and no one can flee from this inescapable truth. Thus, it is important to take our lives seriously, follow God’s Word, and pursue our identity in Christ.
Why Did Jesus Urge His People To Watch And To Be Ready?
The Times Are Getting Evil
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.—2 Timothy 3:1–4
The world is careening towards Armageddon. Today we see the rise of sinful ways that are abominable to God. Abortion, same-sex marriage, and sex change are becoming more prevalent, which violate the intrinsic will of God for humanity.
The days are becoming more evil as we move closer to the last days, like the time when God overthrew Sodom. Idolatry and lovers of pleasure and money have become the main focus of many people, putting evil at the center of their lives.
Satan is the prince of this earth, which is full of sin and wickedness. And it’s getting worse every day. Many people have become devoted to the devil and his ways, instead of God and His laws. They are more focused on their own desires and pleasures than on their relationship with their Creator and God’s will. These ways of man make us unready for God.
Assurance Of Salvation
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.—Luke 12:40
The gospel stresses that salvation is a gift from God out of His abounding love for us. By sending His only Son to die on the cross for our iniquities, our salvation is secured. Our abiding faith is a gift from God that allows us to remain holy and free from the bondage of sin.
Through the sacrifice of our Messiah, we can be forgiven for our sins and receive the promise of eternal life. We are given the assurance that if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are ready for Christ’s return. By trusting in Jesus and following his commands, we can be sure that we will be ready for Christ now and anytime in the future.
Conclusion
In our earthly lives, we are used to getting ready for important events—birthdays, weddings, and other milestones that prioritize our existence. But, sadly, we neglect the utmost need to meet and be in God’s presence every day. At most, we procrastinate and postpone meeting the Lord until next Sunday in church. These habits deprive us of the opportunity for God’s guidance in the conduct of our daily affairs.
We must prepare to meet God now! We do not know the time of judgment, our death, or the Lord’s return. The only way to meet God is through Jesus. Only in His holy name can we be assured of our seat in glorious eternity.