Growling Bears
Most people don’t realize that coastal North Carolina has the world’s largest black bears and the highest black bear densities on the planet! The world record is 880 lbs., but we have some bigger than that out there walking around. Mild winters, abundant high protein crops and genetics are the reason for so many big bears. The black bear population has grown 20 fold since 1970 and there is now estimated to be 20,000 in the State.
Plymouth First Baptist Church sits right in the middle of this dense population of these magnificent creatures. If you like wildlife- this is the place to be!
Wildlife is spoken of throughout the Bible, and of course even bears find a place in the Book of Books.
David was able to trust the Lord to help him defeat the giant Goliath partly because of the Lord’s help previously in slaying a bear. (1 Samuel 17:33-35).
The Book of Proverbs also mentions bears: “Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.” (Prov. 17:10) How very true!
The book of Isaiah also speaks of bears. In chapter 59, the prophet is confronting the nation of Israel with their sin and violation of God’s law. He is warning them that hard times are on the way because they have left the Lord and His ways.
“Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear. (Is. 59:1-2).
What many people are missing in our culture is that when people reject God and the mandate to live in accordance with His Word, Inward dissatisfaction and frustration is the result. Cutting God out of our life brings a hunger which cannot be satisfied in any other manner other than a relationship with him.
The prophet, speaking from God uses the example of a growling bear (and doves) to describe those who depart from God to follow their own ways.
We all growl like bears;
we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.
For our offenses are many in your sight,
and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities: (Isaiah 59:11-12)
and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities: (Isaiah 59:11-12)
It is not a coincidence that the more our nation and world move away from the God of the Bible and His son Jesus Christ- the less satisfaction is found and the less justice. People really are growling like bears these days! In a nation as blessed as ours, people should be filled with joy- but they aren’t. The reason is because they are trying to find their satisfaction not in the creator- but the created.
We are blessed in Eastern North Carolina with some magnificent scenery and awesome wildlife. If we are paying attention, it can teach us about the one who created it all- Jesus.
Jesus, the God-Man declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” -John 6:35.
Only in Jesus can true satisfaction be found-
Come visit us in Eastern North Carolina. Come see the natural beauty and let it lead you to worship and praise the God of the Bible who created it all!
If you find yourself in Plymouth NC, stop in and see us! Join us for worship or a small group, and hear about the one who can bring true fullness and blessing to your life.
Join us on our adventure with Jesus!