Even Our Preparation Shakes the Enemy

I recently opened my Bible to Jeremiah 46, not expecting anything in particular, and landed on verses 3–5 in the New Living Translation. Here’s what it says:

“‘Prepare your shields,

and advance into battle!

Harness the horses,

and mount the stallions.

Take your positions.

Put on your helmets.

Sharpen your spears,

and prepare your armor.

But what do I see?

The Egyptian army flees in terror.

Their bravest fighting men

run without a backward glance!

They are terrorized at every turn,’”

says the Lord.”

(Jeremiah 46:3–5, NLT)

And I’m sitting there like… WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!

Like—wait a minute. What just happened?!?

The Power Is in the Preparation

Did you catch that? These verses are all about getting ready for battle—strapping on armor, preparing weapons, positioning troops—but the fighting hasn’t even started yet. It’s just the preparation phase.

And what does the enemy do?

They flee.

They run away. In terror. At the sight of the army preparing.

Y’all. That wrecked me.

There is so much power, spiritual power, in our preparation. The enemy trembles not just at our actions—but even at our obedience when we start getting ready in the strength of God.

So often, we focus on the actual battle—how to fight the lies, resist temptation, stand strong in trials—but what if part of the victory comes before we even step into the fight?

What if the act of preparing in Christ—taking up our armor, spending time with Jesus, speaking truth over our lives—is itself a kind of warfare?

Don’t Skip the Armor

Let me be real with you—it’s convicting too. Because sometimes I do just rush into the day. I grab my coffee, check my phone, scroll a little, and BOOM—before I know it, I’m halfway through my day and feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or dry… and I wonder why.

The truth is: I didn't put on my armor.

I didn’t stop to receive my daily bread. I didn’t center myself in the truth of who God is or who I am in Him. I didn’t prepare.

And here’s the deal: the Bible doesn’t tell us to casually wander into the day. It tells us to suit up. To take spiritual preparation seriously. Not because we’re afraid—but because we’re aware. We’re in a battle. And God has equipped us to win it—not in our own strength, but through His.

Like it says in Ephesians 6:10–11:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

That verse doesn’t say “fight hard.” It says “be strong in the Lord” and “put on the full armor.” That means there’s something intentional we’re called to do daily: prepare.

And preparation isn’t passive. It’s powerful.

Your Quiet Time Is a Battle Cry

Every time you open your Bible, you are lifting your sword.

Every time you speak God’s Word out loud, you are sharpening your spear.

Every time you turn off the noise and worship, you are putting on your helmet.

Every time you say “Jesus, I trust You,” you are raising your shield of faith.

That is not small stuff. That is kingdom work. That is holy ground.

And when the enemy sees you getting up early, even groggily, just to sit with your Savior… when he sees you choosing worship instead of worry… when he sees you taking your thoughts captive and renewing your mind with the truth of God…

He flees.

Not because you’re scary, but because Jesus in you is. And when you prepare, you’re not just putting on armor—you’re stepping into the authority that Jesus gave you.

We Fight From Victory, Not For It

And let’s not forget: the battle we prepare for is already won.

Jesus has already triumphed over sin, death, and every scheme of darkness. When we prepare, we’re not gearing up to maybe win—we’re standing in a victory that has already been sealed by the blood of Christ.

So when I read Jeremiah 46 now, I don’t just see an ancient war story. I see a spiritual blueprint. A divine reminder that my preparation matters.

That the enemy notices when I stand in truth.

That darkness trembles when light rises up.

That even before the battle begins, the enemy is already running—because he sees a child of God waking up and saying, “Not today. I’m ready. I’m armed. I’m His.”

So… Let’s Prepare Like It Matters

Let’s not rush through our days unarmored.

Let’s not settle for spiritual survival when we’ve been called to victory.

Let’s be sons and daughters who take time—real, intentional time—to prepare in Jesus. To put on His truth, walk in His peace, lift up His Word, and lean into His strength.

Let’s rise in the morning knowing that even our preparation shakes the gates of hell.

Because when we prepare with Jesus, we don’t just get ready for the fight—we walk in the confidence that our God has already overcome.