What will you
do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run
for help?
Definition
of DAY OF RECKONING: a
time when the consequences of a course of mistakes or misdeeds are felt
What the
Bible says about the DAY OF RECKONING
The proud look
of man will be abased And the loftiness of man will be humbled, And the LORD
alone will be exalted in that day. For the LORD of
hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and lofty And
against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased. Isaiah
2: 11-12
Let's look at the life of Jacob
Definition of Vigilant: Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
How awful that day will be! No other will be like it! It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7
Jacob's
story teaches us how an imperfect person can be greatly blessed by God--not
because of who he or she is, but because of who God is.
Jacob was
one of the great patriarchs of the Old Testament, but at times he was also a
schemer, liar, and manipulator.
God
established his covenant with Jacob's grandfather, Abraham. The blessings
continued through Jacob's father, Isaac, then to Jacob and his descendants.
Jacob's sons became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel.
The
younger of twins, Jacob was born holding on to his brother Esau's heel.
Jacob's
Accomplishments:
Jacob in
the Bible account, fathered 12 sons, who became leaders of the 12
tribes of Israel. One of them was Joseph, a key figure in the Old Testament.
Jacob
persevered in his love for Rachel. He proved to be a hard worker. His name is
frequently associated with God in the Bible: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Jacob's
Strengths:
Jacob was
clever. Sometimes this trait worked for him and sometimes it backfired on him.
He used both his mind and strength to build his wealth and family.
Jacob's
Weaknesses:
Sometimes
Jacob made his own rules, deceiving others for selfish gain. He did not trust
God to work things out.
Even
though God revealed himself to Jacob in the Bible, Jacob took a long time to
become a true servant of the Lord.
He
favored Joseph over his other sons, leading to jealousy and strife within his
family.
Life
Lessons:
The sooner we trust
God in life, the longer we will benefit from his blessings. When we fight
God, we are in a losing battle.
We often
worry about missing the will of God for our life, but God works with
our mistakes and bad decisions. His plans cannot be upset.
