There is a storm brewing. Alte derailed her own thread to talk about surviving periods of unrest. The economic pessimists have been saying things are getting worse for a while.  If you want the hard core vision of survival, John Wesley, Rawles argues it’s time to get out of Babylon to his version of the promised land — the frigid northern mountain states.

Micah speaks to us today. The storm brewing is of our own making — we have spent too much. We have borrowed too much.  Our expectations of what is poverty are too high — I was seriously informed that under 40 000 CAN is poor last week — which is very close to the 70 000 NZL  that leads to you being taxed at the maximal rate (the kiwi is around 75 c US: the Loonie however is  about $1.05 US)

Micah 7

7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

8 Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

9 I must bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he takes my side and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall see his vindication.

10 Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her downfall; now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets.

via Daily Lectionary Readings — Devotions and Readings — Mission and Ministry — GAMC.

Micah reminds us that these periods of depression and oppression are ephemeral. Things change, and change rapidly. Those in power are in the dungeons that they themselves made.

Now we should minimize our expenses, get real assets that can feed us, not rely on the state (except to oppress us) and reduce debt to none or as close to none as we can get.

We will expect that those around us will do whatever it takes to survive. We are told to wait upon the LORD, and trust in his vindication. We are not, not told, that this wait will be pleasant. We are told instead that it is painful.

If you are called to move, move. If not, prepare for disasters — because they can occur, and the consequences will resonate for months to years.