PREPARING FOR AN ENCOUNTER (2)

Main Text: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, and be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” – Exodus 19:10–11

Brethren, as we approach the opening of the 2026 Feast of Tabernacles, I am persuaded to tell you that your heart must be prepared for more than attendance. This is because under the theme “Making a Difference,” we are trusting God for encounters that will transform lives and release men and women into meaningful Kingdom impact.

In the previous edition, we learned that lasting impact is often preceded by a genuine encounter with God. In this edition, our main text reveals that divine encounters should be approached with deliberate preparation. For instance, Israel was about to witness an extraordinary manifestation of God at Mount Sinai. Yet before the Lord descended, He commanded Moses saying, “Sanctify the people… and let them be ready.” Put differently, preparation did not earn God’s presence; it positioned the people to respond to it with reverence. As a matter of fact, God’s instruction to Israel contained two dimensions including sanctification of the heart and orderliness in outward conduct

Friends, the Israelis were to consecrate themselves and wash their garments. The washing of clothes was not a substitute for holiness; it was an outward expression of their awareness that they were approaching the holy God. In simple terms, you must understand that the presence of God must never be treated casually. Unfortunately, many people attend spiritual gatherings physically prepared but inwardly distracted. Others arrive with great expectations but little prayer, repentance, reflection, or hunger for God. Honestly, an encounter is not produced by human effort, but a careless heart may fail to discern what God is doing. For example, before Israel crossed the Jordan, Joshua declared to them saying, “Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” – Joshua 3:5

Child of God, permit me to tell you that consecration prepares the heart to recognise and cooperate with divine activity. In essence, to sanctify yourself means to set yourself apart for God. It involves examining your heart, confessing sin, releasing offences, correcting wrong attitudes, and surrendering every area of resistance to the Holy Spirit. The question is not merely, “Will God be present?” The greater question is, “Will my heart be ready to receive what He desires to do?” To this end, you must understand that God does not demand that you make ourselves perfect before approaching Him. He expects you to come because you need His grace. However, grace must never become an excuse for spiritual carelessness. David asked, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?” Interestingly, the answer was, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.” – Psalm 24:3–4. It means that God welcomes the humble, the repentant, and the spiritually hungry. He is not searching for people who have never failed, but for those who are willing to be cleansed, corrected, and transformed.

Beloved, unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, secret sin, and unresolved offences can weaken spiritual sensitivity. This does not mean that every unmet expectation is caused by personal sin. As a matter of fact, God remains sovereign, and His dealings with each person differ. Nevertheless, Scripture commands us to maintain a conscience “void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16). As the Feast approaches, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there a wrong you need to correct? Is there a habit you must surrender? Is there an instruction from God you have repeatedly ignored? This is because an encounter becomes deeper when the heart is honest before God. It means that spiritual readiness should be accompanied by responsible planning. Therefore, before attending the Feast, endeavor to do the following.

1. Prepare Your Heart: Spend time in prayer, repentance, worship, and Scripture. Come with specific spiritual expectations, but remain open to God’s greater purpose.
2. Put Your Responsibilities in Order: Attend to important family, work, and personal obligations so that avoidable distractions do not dominate your mind during the programme.
3. Pursue Peace: Where possible, settle unnecessary disputes and refuse to carry bitterness into the gathering.
4. Prepare Your Family: Encourage your spouse, children, friends, or loved ones to participate. Let your home share in the spiritual atmosphere of the Feast.
5. Present Yourself Honourably: Come decently, punctually, and with reverence. External preparation cannot replace inward holiness, but disorder and negligence do not reflect a heart that values the occasion.
6. Come Ready to Obey: The purpose of an encounter is not merely to feel God’s presence but to respond to His voice. Do not only ask, “What will I receive?” Also ask, “What will God require of me?”

Most importantly, this year’s theme, “Making a Difference” demands more than excitement. God is preparing vessels through whom He can influence families, churches, institutions, and communities. Nonetheless, I wish to remind you that “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use.” – 2 Timothy 2:21. Simply put, before God works through you publicly, He often deals with you privately. He cleanses motives, corrects attitudes, breaks pride, restores spiritual hunger and brings the vessel into alignment with the assignment. Don’t forget, a person cannot make a lasting Kingdom difference while resisting the transforming work of God within.

Prayer Points

1. Father, search my heart and remove everything that could hinder my fellowship with You.
2. Cleanse me from bitterness, pride, unforgiveness, secret sin, and spiritual carelessness.
3. Give me a sincere hunger for Your presence and Your Word throughout this Feast.
4. Prepare me as a vessel of honour, sanctified and ready for Your use.
5. Let every encounter during the Feast produce lasting transformation and Kingdom impact.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Kingdom Insight

Preparation does not purchase an encounter with God; it positions the heart to recognise His presence, receive His Word, and respond in obedience.

Daily Reflection

What must you cleanse, settle, surrender, or put in order before entering the Feast with a truly prepared heart?