As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;
so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
Proverbs 28:15
I
loved stuffed animals in my youth and by youth, I mean junior high
through high school. I don't know whatever happened to all of them,
but I don't have even one of them now. However, I do have a
wonderful stuffed black bear maybe as tall as a cowboy boot that
Brian bought for me as a reward for either hiking or biking around
Cades Cove several years ago. I named it “Cadie” with a long “a”
sound. Just a few minutes ago as I left my bedroom, there she sat
looking her usual attentive self from the top of my desk. Cadie
never growls, begs for food or misbehaves in any way for which I'm
grateful.
However,
Cadie is stuffed. She looks cute, but has no life to her and
couldn't hurt a flea. She is, though, a nice replica of the
beautiful live black bears we see in the mountains in our area.
Tourists flock to certain areas in the hope of seeing at least one
bear they can take pictures of to take home to show off to friends or
relatives. Cars line up beyond reason in the Cove just to view a
bear that has been spotted in a nearby wooded area. Children giggle
with delight at the sight while parents make fools of themselves
rushing with phone cameras in tow to take pictures. It's all fun and
a delight.
Some
tourists, however, take serious risks despite warning signs and stiff
penalties to get as close to a live bear as they can without
sustaining serious injury. The opening verse speaks of a “ranging
bear.” That is a bear that is seriously wandering on the hunt for
food. It may display a low growl, head moving from side to side
seeking food. Most bears here live on berries, bugs and even yellow
jackets. That's not a lot of food even at first thought for a bear
that might weigh 200-250 pounds. While that bear is on the hunt,
though, it does not want any distraction and may attack if
aggravated. A bear was found in a local ladies kitchen having broken
through the back door and then got into her refrigerator. Hearing
the noise, she glanced to see the bear and immediately called
authorities. You've heard of someone being “hungry as a bear?”
Well, if that's the case, that human being is pretty desperate for a
good meal if he's that hungry.
Looking
in Scripture, I find another kind of “bear” there. This requires
action on our part that will be of benefit to others. In definitions
I found regarding that kind of “bear”, I find that we may be
asked to carry, deliver, support, prop or hold up someone who might
have great need at any given time. So in a sense, we have the
privilege of being “bears” of sorts. For instance:
Bear ye one another's burdens
and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
WHY?
So
Christ was once offered to
bear the sins of many; and
unto them that look for Him shall
He appear the second time without sin
unto salvation.
Hebrews 9:28
bear the sins of many; and
unto them that look for Him shall
He appear the second time without sin
unto salvation.
Hebrews 9:28
We
are to bear the burdens of others because Jesus was willing to bear
our sins and the sins of all others.
I
also love the verse in Psalm 91:12 from one of my favorite chapters
in the Old Testament:
For
He shall give His angels charge
over thee, to keep thee in all
thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their
hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone.
over thee, to keep thee in all
thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their
hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone.
I
don't know about you but there have been times when I knew my
God-provided angels were on duty, especially when an accident was
avoided or I sensed a special protection over me when I felt myself
in an unusual situation where I felt a threat. Those angels bore me
up many a time and I'm so grateful for that.
I
love all of the cuddly bears that are stuffed, but don't want to mess
with the real thing. I am grateful for those who have come along my
side as a burden bearer. I know God has used them in my life
as well as His providing those angel bearers I need on a daily
basis. Personally, I need to be much more aware of the burdens of
folks around me. So many of these folks have come to my attention in
recent days who may need a card, a word of encouragement, a lunch
date with a burdened down soul...any way I can be an encouragement
and can only help one bear their burdens. Then I can have the
joy of following Jesus' concern for others in being a burden bearer.
We can be Jesus with skin on in the lives of others.
Father...Help
me to be conscious of those around me who are really going through
tough times. I want to help bear the burdens of others to be
of help to them but to bring glory to You. Guide me in knowing the
wise things to do and say as I seek to serve You in this way. In
Jesus precious name....Amen
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