Don't feed the Bears

As I have continued my reading in proverbs, some verses stuck out at me (actually A LOT of them did, but a few for this topic).

Prov.27:24 For riches are not forever and doth the crown endure to every generation?

There is a good deal of talk throughout our day about what to do about rising gas prices. Many suggestions are given, yet no one, BUT GOD, really knows. Those of you who remember the Nixon and Carter years, double digit inflation, double digit interest rates, double digit unemployment, lines at gas stations with fill limits (plus I have only read about how bad it was in 1929 and following). In the Scriptures I can find other verses that speak to Jehovah setting nations up and putting them down. Our way of life, as some of us have known it, may come to a complete halt and disappear forever. This is not about panic, or speaking ill. These things are written, so "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear". Another Proverb says a wise man sees trouble coming and hides himself, but a fool passes on and is destroyed.

THE LORD is my strong tower and my hiding place. It is not a matter of if but when America goes down. Please understand, I am a proud American, I love my country, I pray GOD preserve her. But HE sets the times and seasons. It may be today, next year, a hundred years, a thousand... None-the-less I advocate deep diligent PRAYER. Times of trouble are upon us. The last few years have seen catastrophes, frequent yes, but in the range of normal strength. Imagine if THE FATHER were to open up the power gauge of his wrath one or two more notches? Are we ready to let EVERYTHING go?

The crown could depart leaving us with...? At times I get so tunnel visioned with the (wo)man I am electing I forget Prov.21:1 "The King's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the rivers of water, He turneth it whithersoever He will". If we who believe are praying and seeking God, and following His commands then a dyed in the wool, seething, vehement, anti-god, person-thing, will do what Jehovah wants. On the other hand if we are careless, apathetic, derelict, what kind of government will we have? Don't bother to answer. Politics are not so much about individual people. Yes Believers need to be involved in our nations present and future. "Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people". Lets give God His due. "BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU".

A few years ago when I was a Drill Sergeant at Boot Camp, I was conducting a "hip pocket" class on self-reliance. I suggested the possibility of a major societal breakdown and asked the recruits what they would plan for survival. One spoke up stating that he would head up into the mountains and "live off the land". As I pursued his knowledge of hunting and wilderness living it became quickly evident that he had never been off the block, nor was there anything that I could teach him. I figured to myself, the bears need to eat too.
In 2Kings2:23-25 some youths (possibly as old as late 20's according to the commentators) ridiculed Elisha. Their statement "go up thou bald head" is supposed to reference a prophets haircut. Elisha cursed them and two SHE-bears came out to rip them up. The problem here is their disrespect for Yahweh's anointed.
David, who was anointed to be king, was unwilling to actively, directly engage Saul, because he would not raise his hand against Gods holy anointed. David was rightfully able to sit by any means on the throne, making Saul in effect, a usurper. David had full LEGAL RIGHT but consciously held back.
Jude vs.8 warns to not "speak evil of dignities", persons holding positions of authority. Like it or not the powers that be are ordained of God.

I have to admit, I am guilty of speaking curses against people in office. It is not a question of whether they deserve it. I am not the judge of all the earth. Someday, the Scriptures say, we will judge the angels, but GOD Himself will judge all, great and small and there will be no place to hide, even though they flee from His fiery face.

God has at times used warrior tribes, locusts, famine, hail and other great catastrophes to chastise His children when they don't listen. It doesn't have to be something big, if you refuse to respect His message/messenger, He might just feed a bear.