Proverbs 16:18
King James Version
18 Pride goeth before destruction,
and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Was California proud?
Had her officials been belligerent?
Had they failed their people?
Have they owned up to their mistakes?
Was she under "judgment"?
Were the fires man-made?
And GOD-allowed?
Of course, only GOD knows.
Apart from whoever "planned" or "started" the fire.
If it was man-made, at all.
Or part of a "greater" picture we know nothing about.
But we do know what the Bible says about "chastening".
We feel California is being "chastened".
All that pride, and wokefulness, won't do.
All her love for things of the world, won't do.
Hollywood's love for sin, won't do.
GOD loves California.
Despite her many errors.
He wants her SAVED -- through JESUS.
The very JESUS she mocks, and sets aside.
Otherwise, He wouldn't have "chastened" her.
He wants her eyes "opened".
Would she open it, this time?
Would she turn to GOD, this time?
Would she finally lose that self-absorption?
Would her officials abandon their left, and woke, ideology?
Would she become born again, so SPIRIT would lead her, instead of "self"?
Would she repent of her sins?
As I ponder over California's raging fires, and failed leadership, SPIRIT led me to some very telling verses.
Know more what "chastening" means:
Hebrews 12:5
King James Version
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation
which speaketh unto you as unto children,
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,
nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 12:6
King James Version
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,
and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Hebrews 12:7
King James Version
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Hebrews 12:8
King James Version
8 But if ye be without chastisement,
whereof all are partakers,
then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Hebrews 12:9
King James Version
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh
which corrected us, and we gave them reverence:
shall we not much rather be in subjection
unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Hebrews 12:10
King James Version
10 For they verily for a few days
chastened us after their own pleasure;
but he for our profit,
that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Hebrews 12:11
King James Version
11 Now no chastening for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth
the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby.
Hebrews 12:12-13
King James Version
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down,
and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet,
lest that which is lame be turned out of the way;
but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:14
King James Version
14 Follow peace with all men,
and holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:15
King James Version
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled;
More articles on California here.
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She's covered well over 100 fires. This one feels different
All verses from Bible Gateway
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