말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Verse]“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you rest on every side? For he has handed the inhabitants of the land over to me, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.” — 1 Chronicles 22:18–19 (NIV)

[Our Story]There’s a well-known story in seminary circles—almost legendary—about the life of a pastor and the three types of preparation they must always be ready for. The first is sermon preparation. A pastor should be ready to preach at any time, not just during Sunday worship. This means a life steeped in scripture and shaped by it. In an age when feel-good talks often take precedence over biblical preaching, the wisdom of our pastoral predecessors shines through all the more. The second is preparation to leave. A pastor must always be ready to go if the Lord calls. This isn’t just about having few possessions, but about being free from attachment. In a time when church leadership is too often passed down like family inheritance, the older generation’s insight into detachment remains prophetic. The third, and perhaps most difficult, is preparation to die. Like Esther, who said, “If I perish, I perish,” a pastor must be prepared to give everything, even life itself. Pastoral ministry often demands a daily dying to self, and anyone who has walked this road knows how true this is.
None of these are easy. But one thing is certain: God prepares for those who prepare. That is the beauty of preparation.

[Bible Story]
1 Chronicles 22–27 tells the story of King David preparing for the temple that he himself would never build. Though God did not allow David to build the temple, David didn’t sulk—he prepared. He designated the site, gathered materials, and charged Solomon with the task. Unlike in Samuel or Kings, Chronicles gives detailed attention to the organization of temple service. David assigns the Levites into four key roles: (1)24,000 for temple worship; (2)6,000 for administration and justice; (3)4,000 as gatekeepers; and (4) 4,000 as musicians, led by the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, offering praise with thanksgiving (1 Chron 25). The gatekeepers guarded the entrances and welcomed worshipers—though they also had to turn away foreigners (1 Chron 26:1–19). Storehouse keepers managed the offerings (26:20–28), while judges and officials ensured justice and governance (26:29–32). Even the military structure and tribal leadership were included, forming a well-prepared, centralized system (1 Chron 27). Nothing about this preparation was simple—but again, God prepares for those who prepare.

[Your Story]
What are you preparing for these days? And why? What moved you to begin this preparation? Whether it’s a dream you’re pursuing or a mission you’re stepping into, the journey from preparation to fulfillment is never easy. But if it is the Lord’s work—and if it is the Lord who led you to prepare—you can be sure that He is preparing something for you in return. When we prepare with care and intention for the work God has given us, His presence and providence start to pulse through our everyday lives.So today, may your preparations be full of purpose, and may you sense the hand of God at every step.

“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord Will Provide.’ And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’”— Genesis 22:13–14

With blessings,
Rev. Hyung Joong Kim
© 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim. All rights reserved.