Desk of Dennis Piller
1/11/2022
There is a Bear in the woods. Prepared for Peace.
During the 1984 presidential election, candidate Ronald Reagan used a television commercial that’s become known for its compelling opening line: “There is a bear in the woods.”
The ad featured a grizzly bear wandering menacingly through a forest while the narrator said this:
“There is a bear in the woods. For some people, the bear is easy to see. Others don’t see it at all. Some people say the bear is tame. Others say it’s vicious and dangerous. Since no one can really be sure who’s right, isn’t it smart to be as strong as the bear? If there is a bear.”
A man appears in the closing scene, and the bear takes a step back. The captivating ad concludes with a picture of Reagan and the tagline: “President Reagan: Prepared for Peace.”
N.S. Gill’s Research says “The original Latin of the expression "if you want peace, prepare for war" comes from the book "Epitoma Rei Militaris," by the Roman general Vegetius. Before the fall of the Roman Empire, the quality of its army had begun to deteriorate, according to Vegetius, and the decay of the army came from within itself. His theory was that the army grew weak from being idle during a long time of peace and stopped wearing its protective armor. This made them vulnerable to enemy weapons and to the temptation to flee from battle.
Vegetius’ quote has been interpreted to mean that the time to prepare for war is not when war is imminent but rather when times are peaceful. Likewise, a strong peacetime army could signal to would-be invaders or attackers that the battle may not be worth it.”
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15,16, “When anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready … Yet do it with respectful humility” Are you ready? Maybe you are battle-weary,
"Encourage yourself in the Lord”
“For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures”. Romans 15:4
David was called of God. He was in God’s will, but he still needed encouragement for the long battle that seem unrelenting. Perhaps you see the clouds rolling in. You see a Bear in the woods. Something is coming. You feel it. You just know it. But oftentimes we have been lulled to sleep by our own apathy. Our own laziness. Things have been going relatively smoothly. God has taken care of us with some room for comfort. And we’ve grown soft and are not prepared for war or a battle of any size.
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
President Reagan said, "We know that peace is the condition under which mankind was meant to flourish. Yet peace does not exist of its own will. It depends on us, on our courage to build it and guard it and pass it on to future generations." Are you guarding your heart? Peace comes from laying a firm foundation. On what is your house built? Is it time to strengthen the inner walls for the Bear in the woods? Are you prepared for Peace? What have you consciously done to be ready? Put on the full armor of God and be ready. Eph. 6:11
Oceans Where Feet may Fall
