A National Wreck

A few weeks ago, I dreamed that I was driving in a really old car, along a path next to a large body of water.  Suddenly, without warning, I was snatched off the path and my car turned over several times landing upside down in the water, sinking, with me still strapped in my seat belt.  I initially panicked, but pulled myself together and realized I needed to cut the seat belt that had me attached to the sinking car, or else I would drown.  I took a deep breath as the water rose all around me, pulled out my pocket knife, and cut the seat belt loose.  I floated out of the window of the car and rose to the surface just in time to avoid drowning.

Needless to say, this dream troubled me deeply.  As I fasted and prayed for understanding, I knew immediately that God was speaking to me in the dream, and the that the dream was multi-fold.  It addressed some personal issues in my life, but also I believe the national financial crisis that our nation is facing.  We have not been paying attention to our financial situation, the transportation that keeps our economy moving, and takes us to our destination.  We have been driving along as though every thing is normal, not realizing the danger that is presently near us.  And now suddenly, we find ourselves and our nation, flipped upside and sinking into economic ruin.

The media and other outlets of information are all on the band wagon, talking about how bad things are, and how bad they will become.  But no one seems to be telling us what to do.  In this dream, the only way I was able to escape, was to cut loose the things that held me tied down.  The seat belt, meant to be a safety device, became a trap when that car was sinking.  And I believe the word of the Lord is that we must cut loose the things that cause us to feel safe, when we are actually in danger.

Particularly, in our finances, we must cut loose wasteful spending, and trying to live beyond our means.  Getting rid of debt must become top priority if we want to escape the destruction that is near.  Apostle Paul taught us that we must live using the things of this world, but not abusing them, setting our affections on things above and not on the earth.  Set your treasures above, not in stocks and bonds, or money markets.  Don't draw your sense of self worth from the things you have, for Jesus said that a man's life does not consist of the abundance of things which he has, which are things that are temporary and will pass away.

Let us cut away anything that ties us down, any ideologies or philosophies that entangle us with affairs of this life, and prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We must guard our finances closely, but for the purpose of seeking first God's kingdom.  If we do these things, we can escape the wrath which is to come, and our souls can be delivered in this present world, and in the life to come.

Vain Imagination!

Have you ever felt like the world is going crazy?  Sometimes people can embrace ideas that are blatantly contrary to scripture, and then demand that you approve their "Freedom," by not disagreeing with them, or even warning them that there are consequences to embracing sinful ideas.  But this is not a new phenomenon.  David summed it up best in Psalms 2 from the King James Version, when he asked the same question in different way.

Psa 2:1        Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2       The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],
Psa 2:3       Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4       He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5       Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Psa 2:6       Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psa 2:7       I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:8       Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.
Psa 2:9       Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Psa 2:10       Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Psa 2:11       Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psa 2:12       Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.

Apparently, history is once again repeating itself.  People who chose to do wickedly have always tried to force their ideas, control and influence on everyone else.  And often, those who love and value freedom are arch enemies.  God is the one who created the human existence, and He is the one who created us with the ability to think for ourselves.  Satan is the one who created nothing, and tries to control everything.  And thus the epic battle for the minds and hearts of men. 

But I'm so glad that David clued us in to the fact that God doesn't get stressed out about the raging of the vain ideas.  As a matter of fact, He laughs them to scorn.  There's nothing more embarrassing than exerting all of your efforts to accomplish your goal, only to be laughed at in defeat.  And this is exactly what God does to those who attempt to spread wickedness.  He who sits in the heavens laughs and shall have them in derision.  Of course the immobilizers will try to water down the truth of God's judgment by saying a loving God would never do such a thing, and will argue that this is old testament and not new testament.  Well, I say to you, "Read the book of Revelation, and see how a just and loving God reacts to wickedness in the end times."

The Lord is not slack concerning his promises, as some count slackness.  But suffers long toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  Of course God is merciful and will wait for a long time for people to change from doing evil.  But what happens at the end of the Grace period if there is no change from wickedness to righteousness?  Judgment!  He will vex them in His sore displeasure.

David even points out that God will go so far as to turn around and give the heathen, those who resisted His will, to His chosen one for an inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possessions.  That sounds like servitude for the wicked.  He even gives early warning that judgment is coming, like He did in the days of Noah.  But the wicked are too stubborn and hard-headed to listen.


I'm so glad that God will deal with the wicked, both in long suffering, allowing plenty of time to turn away from sin, or by swift, unavoidable judgment if they refuse to repent.  And no one need worry about false imprisonment, because God knows our hearts and He knows all the details, so He never mis-judges a case, nor does He have hung juries.

It is important to remember, that God is full of mercy and compassion.  He does not want anyone to perish.  And that is the reason He waits a long time (long suffering), before rendering judgment.  So let those who do wickedly turn from their evil ways and seek to do righteously.  For God wants all of us to be saved, to be blessed and to prosper in a good life.  But we all must remember that our works will rewarded and a day of reckoning is coming.  Each and every person will receive the wages that is due him.  The righteous will be rewarded just as the wicked will.  One to everlasting life, the other, unfortunately, to eternal torment.  God is worthy to be revered and served throughout all eternity.