HAZEL THE BEAR

    Hazel was a mean bear. The radio announcer said the tourists at xxxxx Gardens were hiding in the gift shop because the she had escaped.
We hopped on our motorcycles and raced the 35 miles to our tourist attraction. In the sky was a helicopter, and the parking lot held television news crews, the law, and some onlookers.
The next morning the jungle was alive with bear hunters and their dogs. For 3 days, the hunt went on. I called our local Christian radio for prayer. The next day Hazel was caught and returned to her cage. Then an officer, who was trying to get even with my husband for an incident with monkeys years back, arrested him, in front of the TV camera.

Fear gripped my heart. We were newlyweds with eight teenagers and my husband was involved in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. We did not need trouble like this.
As we were waiting for our day in court I learned how to trust God in an overwhelming situation. I went to a prayer meeting where Psalm 37 was explained. From the word of God, I was told not to worry, that the words from the mouth of the accuser would turn back on him and pierce his own heart.
I believed the Bible and went to court with peace inside and a smile on my face. Two hours later, the judge acquitted my husband. The state’s witness was trapped in his own lies and my husband did not have to defend himself.
Before this experience, I had a problem trusting God, because my dad often broke his promises. After reading Psalm 37, and believing that God was speaking to me through that Scripture passage, I discovered that I could count on the Lord to bring us through tough situations.

Psalm 37

Do not be provoked by evildoers;
do not envy those who do wrong.
Like grass they wither quickly;
like green plants they wilt away.
Trust in the LORD and do good
that you may dwell in the land and live secure.
Find your delight in the LORD
who will give you your heart’s desire.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will act
And make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
your justice like noonday.
Be still before the LORD;
wait for him.
Do not be provoked by the prosperous,
nor by malicious schemers.
Refrain from anger; abandon wrath;
do not be provoked; it brings only harm.
Those who do evil will be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD will inherit the earth.