Untergang der Titanic (“Sinking of the Titanic”) by Willy Stöwer, 1912
When I wrote Part 1, my thinking was that the answer to the question – What’s my first response – would be to pray. But after reading the comments on Part 1 and upon further reflection, prayer may not be the best answer for us at the precise moment that calamity ambushes our lives.
Why?
Let’s say, our ship is rapidly sinking in the midst of the ocean or a tsunami is staring us in the face or an epic earthquake strikes our homes, are we really going to take the time to pray? Probably not. Every second may be the difference between living and dying. We will need to react without thinking.
How can we do that?
“It is better to live ready than to get ready!” (Smith Wigglesworth)
To Wigglesworth, living ready meant spending time with the Lord and His Spirit in prayer and studying the Word on a daily basis. Wigglesworth then expected the Holy Spirit to lead him in every situation – expected or unexpected.
Is this scriptural?
One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. (Luke 6:12 NLT)
The next few verses reveal that Jesus called all of His followers together for a meeting. There He chose twelve men to be His inner group or apostles. Now, do you really think He interviewed the whole group to find the best men? No, of course not. Jesus lived ready and was the Son of God. The Holy Spirit then led Him to choose Peter, Andrew, John, James, and the rest of the apostles.
What about us believers?
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
The secret to being led by the Holy Spirit is to follow Jesus’ example, and in the words of Smith Wigglesworth, “living ready at all times.” To do this, we need to spend time in prayer and study the Bible on a regular basis.
So, what is my answer to the question: “What’s my first response?”
I don’t know right now, but I will know at the time because I live ready and expect the Holy Spirit to lead me if calamity strikes. As for now, I will walk in peace, trusting the One who can see my future before it happens.
Larry Who 
Excellent.
I think Nehemiah had the right approach when faced with the need for an immediate response to a serious situation: “The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king…” (Neh 2:4-5)
Jim Hasak,
Thanks. What a great example of trusting in the Lord.
Excellent, Mr. Larry! I have kept thinking about Philip opening his mouth and preaching Jesus. It kind of fits with this, in my mind anyway, in that he was prepared. He was living ready. I want to too. God bless you!
Debbie,
Yes, that’s a great example, too. The early church lived ready because they had to live that way. They had no other choices like we do today. God bless you.