The Time of Jacob’s Trouble

Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7.
When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man’s behalf, then this time of trouble will begin. Then the case of every soul will have been decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin….
Then the restraining Spirit of God is withdrawn from the earth. As Jacob was threatened with death by his angry brother, so the people of God will be in peril from the wicked who are seeking to destroy them. And as the patriarch wrestled all night for deliverance from the hand of Esau, so the righteous will cry to God day and night for deliverance from the enemies that surround them….
When in his distress Jacob laid hold of the Angel, and made supplication with tears, the heavenly Messenger, in order to try his faith, also reminded him of his sin, and endeavored to escape from him. But Jacob would not be turned away. He had learned that God is merciful, and he cast himself upon His mercy. He pointed back to his repentance for his sin, and pleaded for deliverance. As he reviewed his life, he was driven almost to despair; but he held fast the Angel, and with earnest, agonizing cries urged his petition until he prevailed.
Such will be the experience of God’s people in their final struggle with the powers of evil. God will test their faith, their perseverance, their confidence in His power to deliver them. Satan will endeavor to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless; that their sins have been too great to receive pardon. They will have a deep sense of their shortcomings, and as they review their lives their hopes will sink. But remembering the greatness of God’s mercy, and their own sincere repentance, they will plead His promises made through Christ to helpless, repenting sinners. Their faith will not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. They will lay hold of the strength of God, as Jacob laid hold of the Angel, and the language of their souls will be, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”
Conflict and Courage p. 68
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Prayer Requests
—– It’s been a roller coaster for my baby over the last few days. It’s hard to believe in a week what we’ve been through [surgery for a brain tumor]. Wyatt is in his own room. He is still sick and has had a few bumps in the road but he is very strong. He started physical and speech therapy. He will do a swallowing test tomorrow. He may possibly get the drain tube in his brain removed tomorrow. Please pray for good results in that test, strength for therapy and a clean pathology report. Thank you to everyone for their love, support and most especially the prayers. It has meant the world to my family. Cynthia
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in Washington State, we often went for a walk with my best friend, Darlene. Many times after church, she would invite us to a delicious meal and an afternoon of fellowship and Bible study. On nice days after our dinner had settled, we loved to take a walk along the many scenic areas eastern Washington or northern Idaho has to offer. Walking with Darlene was not just looking at scenery. Walking with her was an adventure every time. She was the teacher and we were her students. She taught us about trees, plants, rocks, birds, animals, and wild edibles.
In the same way, our walk with our Great Creator is full of adventure and instruction. He has promised, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Ps. 32:8 Think of it! To be taught by the One Who made all things, Who loves us so much that He died to save us, to walk with Him each day as He unfolds new and beautiful truths from His Word, as He teaches us the lessons of life—this is our privilege! The Holy Spirit especially is our teacher and guide. Jesus speaks of His indwelling, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13 What blessing is ours to have the Great God of the Universe love us so much that He works to change our hearts and lead us ever upward o! n the path to the Heavenly Kingdom. He promises, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Eze 36:26, 27
Those days of walking and talking with Darlene are over. She is resting in the grave awaiting the call of the Lifegiver. No longer do we enjoy sweet fellowship. No more can I hear her voice instructing or just laughing and full of fun. I miss her being able to tell just be the way I answered the phone, that I needed her counsel. I often think of how many times I took her friendship for granted.
Just so, there is a danger that we will take the fellowship and instruction of the Holy Spirit, our most treasured Friend, for granted. Through our neglect to follow His leading, there is a danger that we will no longer be able to hear the Holy Spirit’s Voice. This Third Person of the Godhead can be grieved away. Frightening thought! Jesus warns, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matt 12:31, 32
May we find our sweetest fellowship our closest friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ. May we daily submit to His guiding hand being careful to “grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby [we] are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph 4:30 May we place our hand in His Strong and Mighty Hand and allow Him to instruct and lead us all the way to His Heavenly Kingdom.
Rose