God instructs His children not to assume they will easily navigate through economic challenges and natural disasters without effort. As illustrated by the story of The Three Little Pigs, preparation is vital; the pig who built his house of bricks withstood the wolf's attacks, while the others who prepared inadequately suffered loss. Similarly, Jesus teaches to build one's house on a rock, emphasizing the importance of solid preparation for life's inevitable storms, whether they be spiritual or physical. By taking steps to prepare, we may avoid or at least mitigate potentially painful or life-threatening situations. Proverbs 6 highlights the ant as an example of wise preparation, diligently working in good times to store up for the bad times that are certain to come. We must recognize that circumstances change, and to presume God will provide without our own efforts is misguided. Preparation is part of learning God's way, choosing a path that aligns with His purpose for our lives. In light of potential crises like the Y2K computer problem, which could have significant economic impacts, it is crucial to act now. Begin by setting aside emergency food supplies, opting for essentials over luxuries when shopping. Check important documents such as insurance papers, bank statements, and deeds to ensure you have paper records in case digital access fails. Have cash on hand, balancing the risks of theft against the possibility of bank runs during a crisis. Inform yourself about the issue through reliable sources, evaluate your personal circumstances, and start preparing without delay, reflecting God's image of foresight and readiness.

Well, brethren, it is preparation time. How prepared are we physically, mentally, and most importantly, spiritually for the disasters that are building around this nation? As the stresses are now coming upon us and growing, the cracks in our national character are showing pretty badly. It is time to get ourselves ready.

People plan extensively before traveling to the Feast of Tabernacles. They anticipate needs such as clothing, money, and transportation. They consider flight plans and timing requirements. They account for automobile timing, maps, historical attractions, and musical events. They think about weather conditions including rain, high temperatures, and low temperatures. They prepare for meetings with others and topics of conversation. Animals prepare for changes in the weather. Some animals migrate. Some birds migrate. Some butterflies migrate. Some animals dig deep in the ground. Bears get themselves fat in order to hibernate during the winter. Squirrels set things aside to eat during cold weather. David commanded the gathering of aliens in the land of Israel. He appointed masons to cut hewn stones to build the house of God. David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints. He prepared bronze in abundance beyond measure. He prepared cedar trees in abundance. The Sidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. David made abundant preparations before his death. The site for the temple had already been chosen. Plans for the temple had already been drawn. David prepared in abundance and in detail down to the nails that would fasten things together. Drawings guided the work so that everybody followed the same set of plans.