Ground Rush

Urban Dictionary  defines "ground rush": "In skydiving, the illusion that  the ground is abruptly rushing up to meet you."

On June 7, 2008, the Associated Press released a story titled, "Everything Seemingly is Spinning Out of Control." The first paragraph gives some samples of "everything."

Midwestern levees are bursting. Polar bears are adrift. Gas prices are skyrocketing. Home values are abysmal. Air fares, college tuition and health care border on unaffordable. Wars without end rage in Iraq, Afghanistan and against terrorism.

Want some good news? Those Midwestern levees have been shored up, the polar bears should be on solid ice again (at least until next Summer) and gas prices are dropping fast. But it's one of those "good news, bad news" deals. Gas prices are dropping, at least in part, because of a global economic downturn that could become a global economic meltdown.

French Prime Minister, Francois Fillon, speaking of the economic chaos, said, "The world is on the edge of the abyss." Whether you agree with him or not, consider the significance of the Prime Minister of France describing the world situation in such dire terms.

As I write this, late on Thursday night, October 9th, a quick look at the Drudge Report shows the following headlines:

THE GLOBAL GAMBLE  . . . 'Bail-out plan to save the world'  . . . 'New Order' . . . 'The USA will lose its superpower status'  . . .  PAPER: Washington 'has surpassed Roosevelt's New Deal'  . . . Aussies joke - and hope - that China can save capitalism  . . . NYC National Debt Clock runs out of digits  . . . Struggling Iceland takes control of third bank  . . . Asian Stocks Plunge, Set for Worst Week on Record  . . . GM Shares Fall to Lowest Level Since 1950  . . . No bottom in sight on Wall Street . . . .

"On the Edge of the Abyss"
Does it feel like you jumped out of the plane without your parachute? Is the world spinning wildly before your eyes? Are you in free fall? Does it look like "the ground is abruptly rushing up to meet you"?

Franklin Roosevelt famously said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror."

Even if he was right, "fear itself" makes a formidable enemy. Don't underestimate it. Jesus spoke of "men's hearts failing them for fear." He was describing a situation where fear rewards its victim with the very thing that triggered the fear in the first place. And this doesn't just apply to the fear of death.

Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you.— Jeremiah 42:16

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. — Job 3:25

But fear can also be good. A little shock and awe can actually profit the soul . . . if it results in the fear of God.

The Bible says in Psalms 111:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Then, for emphasis, says it again in Proverbs 9:10 .

Other than the fear of God, the Bible's word on fear is — don't do it. Faith in God precludes other kinds of fear. Love casts out fear .

"Fear Not"
Paradoxically, faith often finds fertile soil in uncertain times. A year ago, or even a month ago, few of us realized, as fully as we do today, the completeness of our dependence on Him. But if you're His, you're in His hands now just as you were then. If you place your security in the stock market, then repent. Turn to God, place your hope and trust in Him.

If your security is in God, how can you possibly be less secure now than you were last month? The markets change. He doesn't.

We say, "God provides." We thank Him for the very food we put in our mouths. Do you believe it? Is He your provider? Do you think His provision is hampered by a falling stock market? When you trusted Jesus with your life, He bound Himself to you in a covenant. That covenant doesn't end even if the economy turns south and/or the person you oppose wins the election. Pray about those things, but don't fret over them.

Don't be afraid. He's still upholding you with the right hand of His righteousness. He's still strong to save. He loves you as much as ever. Jesus said:

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. — Matthew 6:28-33

Remember Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.