"Alright class, we need everything away and a pen out, ready to take this test."
It doesn't matter how many times I remind a class about an upcoming test, there is always someone who is taken back and not prepared for the test. Being unprepared for a test is terrible! You may begin to sweat a little knowing you don't know as much as you should. There is a level of uneasiness creeping up as you are not confident in knowing the answers. There is even a fear of the end result as you know that the grade will be an epic fail...the teacher may even think poorly about you. Maybe you say a quick prayer before the test, "God I know I didn't study...but please enable me to have all the answers miraculously!" But knowing how hard working and organized God is, it may be a little too late for that request.
What should have happened? Time should have been taken to study out the information. Before you walk into class, ask the Lord to help you remember all the information you have worked so hard to study. Then sit down and take the test. This time, you will feel more comfortable, confident and excited about the end result.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Are you prepared for someone to ask you why you believe what you believe? If someone asked you right now to defend your faith, would you all of a sudden become unconfident, uneasy and fearful of how much or little you know to defend your faith? Would you expect God to miraculously bring to mind all the information that you failed to study?
The phrase sanctify the Lord God in your Hearts means that you are setting aside time to study Him. Those that study Him will always be ready for questions on their faith.
Defending your faith rarely comes with a warning. Many times questions are sprung up on you without time to go study them. So study now in order to be ready later.
Are you ready?