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Prepare to Survive,
Then Lead
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple
keep going and suffer for it. —Proverbs 22:3
We live in times that call for discernment and careful action. The foundations
of Christian civilization are crumbling as the barbarians have breached
the walls, entered the palace and are now wielding the scepters of power
in our culture.
When nations fall, most of the population are taken by surprise. No one
wants to believe that his way of life is coming to an end. When the Bolsheviks
were coming to power in Russia (1910-1917) and the Nazis in Germany (1930s)
the vast majority of the people continued to regard the times as normal
and did not prepare for the coming crisis.
Christians, too, are usually taken by surprise along with the rest of
a nation in crisis. We of all people, however, ought to have the wisdom
to see the handwriting on the wall and realize that momentous changes are
ahead. We should anticipate the judgment of God upon a nation such as ours.
Two-Pronged Crisis
Our nation is teetering on the brink of disaster on two related fronts.
First is the moral front. Since we as a people have increasingly tolerated
adultery, divorce, abortion, sodomy, materialism, willful debt, etc.; since
our leaders have written immorality into law and have removed God and his
Word from public life; we deserve and should expect the hand of God's judgment.
Second is the economic front. To fulfill the wishes of the voters our
politicians have been spending us into oblivion. Other reasons for judgment
aside, the economy itself is a time bomb. Our nation is currently over $4
trillion in debt. The ruling class in Washington (of both parties) has no
intention to stop adding to the debt, much less to pay it off. Most likely
the latter Nineties will be a very grim time in our country as the fiscal
chickens come home to roost.
Taking Refuge
"When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous
do?" (Psalm 11:3) They can keep on being righteous! They can return
even more closely to the path of blessing and peace revealed in God's Word.
They can be sure they are not sharing in the sins that will bring God's
righteous wrath on the nation. They can take refuge as best they are able
(Proverbs 22:3) and entrust themselves to a merciful Father.
The Remnant will adjust its living patterns now so that it not
only survives the crisis but also is prepared to lead on the
other side of the crisis. How can you prepare for the coming crisis and
the days that follow it?
This column, and the magazine in general, will address, on an ongoing
basis, how the Remnant must live to survive and thrive. For now, here is
the quick course for Remnant living:
Remnant Priorities
1) On a personal level, live in a spirit of repentance, quickly dealing
with sin; and strengthen the spiritual disciplines by which you commune
with the living God: daily Scripture reading, memorization, and meditation;
daily fervent prayer and intercession.
2) Read and study: Christian biographies, doctrine, history. Learn your
spiritual heritage so you can pass it on.
3) Make your family your highest priority: teach your own children God's
Word and life skills; de-clutter your schedule; learn to worship, work,
and minister together; find godly spouses for your children.
4) Seek godly self-sufficiency; pray about, read about, learn about possible
ways to work out of home so you can exercise practical headship of your
family.
5) Get out of debt, period, as soon as possible. Debt will make you a
slave in the coming "economic earthquake."
6) Find or start a church that is sound in doctrine and practice, one
that emphasizes relationships, not programs, and strengthens families, trains
fathers to be spiritual leaders and mothers to embrace their home-centered
role; commit yourself to a spiritual family for encouragement, accountability,
discipline.
7) Pray for, vote for, and work for a return to godly principles of civil
government, starting at the local level.
Though dark days are surely ahead, the righteous man need not be afraid.
He should just go on living righteously in all the sphere for which he is
responsible, and trust the rest to the Lord.
"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright...He will have no
fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD"
(Psalm 112:4,7). |
