Well, it has been an eventful month since I last wrote on SurvivalBlog. I decided to take my own advice and enjoy some of those Golden Moments of Silence, where I simply soaked in special moments, beauty, God’s Word, made memories with those I love, and deposited these inspirations in my soul. Since I last sat in front of my keyboard to address you, I have enjoyed fellowship with numerous friends and family, seen some spectacular sights, and experienced dramatic events, most of which were wonderful and beyond description. I have made some new “survivalist” friends and gained greater respect from some serious homesteaders who are venturing into new (and rather ancient) methods of doing things. It has been an amazing month, for the most part. However, there were some very serious moments that reminded me of the sinful world in which we live and were far from “golden”.
One cannot travel or talk with many people without being subjected to or hearing firsthand accounts of serious, violent crimes. This was my experience as well. I am thankful that all of my loved ones are safe and sound, but I was reminded what a very dangerous world we live in. I am thankful that we have the means to protect ourselves and law enforcement to lock away (at least for a time) violent offenders. I am thankful for Second Amendment rights, and I am even more thankful for God’s watchful hand and His Spirit to guide us when danger lurks.
Throughout the month’s festivities, part of me wondered if this was the last “hooray” before we began adjusting in an escalated departure of our American liberties and freedoms. I was trying to emotionally prepare for the possible consequences of having to live through the next four years under Hillary Rodham Clinton as President of the United States. Thankfully, we will not know what those four years would have brought to us. She promised gun control, womens’ right to kill their children up to the point of birth, punitive consequences for anyone who did not embrace and facilitate all sexual behavior, and so much more. She was no friend of our ally, Israel, but was a close friend of its sworn enemies. I am tired of hearing about Hillary. I am tired of the election, but the issues discussed during this campaign are far from resolved by the election and remain of great concern to all of us.
Our nation’s security, economy, employment, healthcare system, as well as international conflicts and our ability to diplomatically or militarily deal with these are among the more serious issues at hand. Individual liberty and property right issues are out of control. Church, synagogue, and religious non-profit organizations’ ability to operate and function separate from state control and scrutiny is being threatened. Of course, gun control laws are a problem that need to be resolved and many retracted, because the Second Amendment provides for the enforcement of all rights and liberties of the people against tyranny or a government that would threaten our basic rights and liberties. This is certainly not a comprehensive list of issues that need addressing; however, it is enough to remind us of the enormous burden being placed upon President-elect Trump and his executive staff as well as Congress.
The election is over, and I have stopped praying over the selection of the man/woman that is God’s will to lead our nation, state, district, and so forth in these various elections. It is easy to now think that any one of us can make no difference and that it is all on Trump’s shoulders and those in various lower offices to make the lives of Americans better (or worse). I am here to tell you, it is not up to Trump or anyone in political office! The majority of the choice rests with you and me! It’s not out of our hands.
What can you and I do? There are two extremely important things:
The first and most important one is to pray and listen to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, recognizing that He is our ultimate ruler and has authority over all nations and people. He not only knows that past and present, He knows the future. He allows mankind to have choices, but He also has a plan that He will see accomplished.
“Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm, and his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and unto all his land; “ – Deut. 11:1-3
The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” Is. 14:24
He is our ultimate provider. It is in Him that we can choose to have an eternal citizenship through His Son, Jesus. While you and I cannot sign a bill or meet with a nation’s leader, we have connection with the eternal Sovereign and, through Him, we have authority, for no ruler has any authority and no man can do anything outside the permissive authority of God.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1.
We need to be in tune with God’s Spirit to heed His voice when He gives us instruction for how to care for ourselves, our families, our communities, and/or our nation. We need to pray with prayers of petition on behalf of our nation and others, but we also need to pray prayers where we listen and ask for instruction and guidance. We need to pray His Word and take time to be still and listen. He speaks to those who draw near, and He gives instruction. This is evident all through the Bible. When in the spiritual (not yet physical) presence of the Most High God, to whom I have repented and strive to walk holy, I cannot help but find perfect peace, regardless of the chaotic world around me.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Is 26:3
The second thing you and I can do is to live right and take care of our business of living and preparation with integrity and honesty, compassion, and awareness, according to God’s instructions in His Word. He has given us excellent guidance in how to conduct ourselves and warns us to guard against and stay clear of the enemies of our mind, body, and soul. I want to emphasize the guarding against things of the mind and soul, because as believers we are not merely wrestling against things of a physical nature, though those are serious matters, of course.
Apathy toward God’s Word is an epidemic, in my opinion. The apostle Paul very plainly warns us of the danger of spiritual wickedness in Ephesians 6. It is not appropriate to blame Satan either. He has no power to force his will on someone who belongs to God. I despise that phrase “the devil made me do it.” We choose righteousness or evil, and we are blessed with or suffer the consequences. Yes, there are temptations put in front of us, but we have to make the choice. I’ve made plenty of mistakes myself, and the consequences I’ve suffered are of my own doing. I am thankful for a loving God who disciplines His children to teach them. I have learned and grown because of His discipline and am thankful for those lessons. I’m sure my life would have been much harder had I not learned those lessons. Here’s what Paul writes:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” Ephesians 6:1-18
As we continue in faith, peace, love, and joy to go about life, we are a bright light that shines and reflects the strength of God and brings honor to Him in this dark world. Have hope but don’t let your hope be in President-elect Donald Trump or any man (or woman). Let your hope be in God. Then, you will not be disappointed!
I recently read a book, America’s Controversy with God’s Covenant that walks readers through the history of our nation and how it has been under a covenant of blessing with God, though this is changing. The authors– Perry Stone and Bill Cloud– wrote:
“First of all, we must acknowledge that time and space preclude us from listing and quoting even a small fraction of the material available which supports the argument that this nation was founded, settled and developed by people who believed in, prayed to and strove to faithfully serve the God of Israel. Consider that when over 15,000 quotes obtained from various papers, articles and books attributed to the Framers and Founders were evaluated, the results showed that 35% of these quotes were taken directly from or inspired by the Bible.”
“If they (the early colonists, such as William Bradford of Plymouth Plantation) perceived their efforts in Massachusetts to be part of a larger plan designed by the Great Architect, they also understood that success would require that their energies be spent on spiritual objectives so much, if not more so, as on building fences, homes and roads. If we may phrase it this way: they committed themselves to live according to the essential elements of the covenant demonstrated in the Scripture, ratified by the blood of Messiah– ‘Love the LORD your God with all your heart’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ This would bring them prosperity.”
I want to encourage you, today, to walk with integrity, according to God’s Word and ways, which are consistent. Our God is not inconsistent. He does not have a Plan B or Plan C. He does not condone immorality. He blesses those who honor Him. Our nation has been blessed for centuries. We are teetering on the brink of destruction. Prayer, I believe, is not enough to save it. We must change our ways.
I do not know how well President-elect Trump will do to hold America together, confront our enemies, and face these many other challenges. However, I want to encourage all of us, especially my sisters in the LORD, to not be weak or fearful. We must keep our eyes on the LORD, for He is our strength, our redeemer, and our shield. Let us honor Him in all we do and say. Let us be part of keeping the blessing, if not for our nation then for our family and for ourselves.
May you find some “golden moments” of inspiration to deposit in your soul for the days ahead, and may God bless you!