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.
I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble.
As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the wicked to destroy God’s people in the time of trouble. And as he accused Jacob, he will urge his accusations against the people of God. He numbers the world as his subjects; but the little company who keep the commandments of God are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. He sees that holy angels are guarding them, and he infers that their sins have been pardoned; but he does not know that their cases have been decided in the sanctuary above. He has an accurate knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit, and he presents these before God in the most exaggerated light, representing this people to be just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. He declares that the Lord cannot in justice forgive their sins and yet destroy him and his angels. He claims them as his prey and demands that they be given into his hands to destroy.
As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past, their hopes sink; for in their whole lives they can see little good. They are fully conscious of their weakness and unworthiness. Satan endeavors to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations and turn from their allegiance to God.
Maranatha p. 272
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray that D can find a good-paying job. L
—– Bobby is back in the nursing home not doing well please pray for her she needs prayer for a speedy recovery. M
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Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie lived in California while attending the Amazing Facts School, she and her Bible study partner were driving to the next study. Suddenly, their car felt like all four tires went flat at once. Then they noticed that the road was moving under them. Thankfully, it was not a serious earthquake, but it was enough to completely scare the two girls.
How many times we are shaken up by the happenings of life. How often the earthquakes of life catch us as off guard. Those “earthquakes” surprise and frighten us as much as they were that day. We feel overwhelmed because this world offers no solid foundation on which to place our feet. The things of this world are constantly changing until we feel that there is nothing on which we can rely.
Praise God! There is one solid, unchanging, reliable source that we can hold onto in this ever-changing world. The Bible tells us who we are and why we are here; and, more importantly, it’s pages are full of the good news of salvation. From Genesis to Revelation we can find the Rock of Ages, our dear Saviour. We can safely build our life upon Him. He assures us, “I am the LORD, I change not.” Mal 3:6 “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:47-49
God’s Word is reliable: it never changes. We can place our feet solidly upon it for it will never shake and quake and cause us to stumble. ” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Ps 119:105; 12:6,7 Our Great Creator watched over His Word and preserved it, so that we may know that it has not been changed. It is the same as when “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21 God oversaw the copying of the Scriptures by faithful men who counted every letter, every word. If the count did not come out right, they started over again. What dedication and patience they had!
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 19:7-11 There is life-changing power in God’s Word. As we read it, the Holy Spirit moves upon our heart and by beholding we are changed. (2 Cor 3:18)
Let us determine to spend time each day studying God’s Word. Let us place our feet solidly upon it during both the good times and the earthquakes of life. Let us hide it’s words in our heart, that we will not stray from the path and fall into the sinful world below.
Rose