It started as just another normal economic hiccup , but before we could blink ,a way of life which millions of people had enjoyed and taken for granted for decades , had simply vanished .
Gone with the wind!
The wind of change is here; the tsunami of failed businesses and failed expectations is ravaging everywhere.
This time last year, who could have thought that things will come to this state of affairs?
That"Woollies"(WOOLWORTH STORES ),of all businesses, would be wound up ,under lock and key, permanently?!
We had enjoyed a life of affluence. Affluence, based on sound national economies, enviable welfare systems, fat pay packets and most of all, incredibly easy access to credit facilities.
Easy credit which oiled the nations' economies and encouraged constant and excessive demand for luxury goods ,consumer goods and expensive holidays abroad.
Mortgages , loans , credit cards and store cards were offered freely; even to those who were unqualified to even apply for such loans and mortgages!
Free Credit facilities, some given at 0% interest rate, were received eagerly and spent lavishly by millions of people; without a second thought for the consequences.
We had become used to easy,laid back lifestyles as a result of a sound Welfare System which promised us a superb quality life from cradle to grave; whether we went out to WORK or not!
Those of us who bothered to work , took it for granted that after working for decades, an adequate and enviable pension will be our entitlement.
Now, NOTHING can be taken for granted any more.
Approval of credit facilities are now strictly vetted and controlled
This refusal of credit is biting very hard. Especially for people who had been living false lives by spending borrowed money.
Today, many people are are bent double , under the burden of huge debts.The pains of the recession are felt by millions.
Pain and death is ravaging the land. Death of a way of life; of a set of values.
I believe that God has a purpose for bringing this plague upon the earth.
No pain, no palm
No thorns, no throne
No gall, no glory
No cross, no crown
William Penn .
This pain and death can be likened to the devastation of the fiery serpents unleashed on the disobedient Israelites.
As Israelites cried out to God when they were bitten by the fiery serpents , so also the whole world is now crying out to God for mercy and for deliverance from the bite of economic fiery serpents!
On one side of this coin there is deliverance , on the flip side there is destruction.
In times of perplexity like this present time,I have learnt to look unto Jesus. To encourage myself in the Lord my God who is forever good and faithful.
Like David did .1 Samuel 30:6.
I encourage myself and others because I know that Jesus, the Son of God was the Fourth Man; the Mighty Deliverer and the Cooling Presence in the burning fiery furnace which had been heated seven times more than necessary !(Daniel 3 :19).
He answered and said, Lo,I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have NO HURT ;
and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Daniel 3:25.
Jesus Christ , the Son of God is ever-present, mighty to deliver , mighty to save in the midst of those who trust in him.
The God who rained manna and quails from heaven on Israel is the same God who sent the fiery serpents.
He chooses to send sustenance or evil; as and when he deems necessary.
He sends his sun and his rain ;sent his manna and quails on the just and the unjust ; even as he sends evil serpents to both the just and the unjust.
God knows that there is a difference between his church and the world .God' s message to his people in times like this is:
"Believe,that I the Lord your God,am mighty in the midst of you ; to rejoice over your to do good. Rejoice with violent praise , all the time!"
14.Sing O daughter of Zion; shout , O Israel;
be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem....
16 In that day , it shall be said to Jerusalem (his church),
Fear thou not:and to Zion( his city), Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save , he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3: 14-17
Amongst the Israelites there were just men and women, yet they all faced the attack of the fiery serpents.God delivered them from the fiery onslaught.
How did God deliver his elect from amongst the multitudes bitten by the fiery serpents ? Through the weapon of faith and the weapon of obedience. His command then was simple :
LOOK AND LIVE ! Look at the serpent lifted high.
How can we survive until this present evil passes away from the earth?
What is the Almighty God saying to the stricken nations of the earth , today?
Look at Jesus , lifted high and glorious! Look at Jesus and live!
Prevailing faith in the finished work of Jesus is the solution to the serpent's poison .
To survive this raging fire, we must look up; look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.
*This message has been published as a Bible tract
by Pneumalithos Publications.UK.Co.
Bible tract-"LOOK & LIVE". by Tina Edgal
Other tracts by Tina .
Bibles tracts written by Tina Edgal are:
* I WILL ARISE..!
* WARTS AND ALL
* SHADOWS
* LIKE HIND'S FEET
* SAMPLES
* BORN OF LOVE
* MONKEY WAHWAH BUT..
* COMPLETE IN HIM
* REJOICE!
* ABIDE IN THE VINE
* LEGAL CAPTIVITY
* LOOK & LIVE
* JUST DO IT?
* ONE & ONLY CHANCE
* WORSHIP HIM
* LOVE YOU LOADS
* THIS IS YOUR LIFE
* GET ALL YOU CAN
* FLEETING GLORY
* WHICH WAY?
* THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
* REALLY ?
* MARANATHA!
* CROWN HIM LORD
Translations of these tracts are available in 8 major Languages.
Hi Tina, just saying hello from Staffordshire and enjoying reading your posts! Have a blessed week!
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