My Life Is Preserved
When we trust in God, even in the midst of calamity, we can experience a sense of peace and calm, knowing that God has everything under control.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the transformative power of encountering God during life's most challenging moments, as illustrated by Jacob's revelation at Peniel and Job's experience in his darkest hour. Jacob, caught between the threats of Laban and Esau, found preservation and peace through a divine encounter, affirming that God is in control even in dire circumstances. Similarly, Job's confrontation with God led him to a profound understanding of divine sovereignty and grace, resulting in repentance and praise. The sermon highlights that trusting God brings peace, allowing believers to face trials without fear, knowing that God has a plan.
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The Bible tells us Jacob received an incredible revelation through a face-to-face encounter with God: "Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" (Genesis 32:30). What was the circumstance surrounding this revelation? It was the lowest, scariest point in Jacob's life. At the time, Jacob was caught between two powerful forces: his angry father-in-law, Laban, and his hostile, embittered brother, Esau.
Jacob had labored over twenty years for Laban, who'd cheated him time after time. Finally, Jacob had had enough, so without telling Laban, he took his family and fled.
Laban gave chase from the east, with a small army, ready to kill Jacob. Yet, only when God warned Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob did this man let his son-in law go. No sooner was Laban out of the picture, however, than Esau came from the west. He too led a small army of some 400 men, ready to kill his brother for stealing his birthright.
Jacob faced total calamity, convinced he was about to lose everything. Things looked utterly hopeless; yet in that dark hour, Jacob had an encounter with God as never before. He wrestled with an angel that scholars believe was the Lord himself.
Now think also about Job. In Job's darkest hour, God appeared to him in a whirlwind. And the Lord gave this man one of the greatest revelations of himself ever witnessed by any human being.
God took Job up into the cosmos, then down into the depths of the sea. He led him into the very secrets of creation. And Job saw things that no person had ever seen. He was shown the utter glory and majesty of God. Job emerged from that experience praising God, saying, "I now know you can do anything, Lord. I repent for questioning your judgment. I see that everything is under your control and directed by your grace. You've had a plan all along, but now I've actually seen you with my eyes" (see Job 42:2-5).
Something marvelous happens when we simply trust. A peace comes over us, enabling us to say, "It doesn't matter what comes out of this ordeal. My God has everything under control. I have nothing to fear."
Sermon Outline
- I. Jacob's Life Preserved Through Revelation
- A. Jacob's encounter with God at Peniel
- B. The circumstances surrounding this revelation
- II. The Power of Trust in God
- A. Jacob's trust in God during a time of calamity
- B. The benefits of trusting God in difficult situations
- III. God's Sovereignty and Control
- A. God's plan and control over all things
- B. The importance of trusting God's sovereignty
- IV. The Result of Trusting God
- A. A sense of peace and calm
- B. The ability to say 'It doesn't matter what comes out of this ordeal'
Key Quotes
“My life is preserved.” — David Wilkerson
“I now know you can do anything, Lord.” — David Wilkerson
“You've had a plan all along, but now I've actually seen you with my eyes.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We can trust in God's sovereignty and control, even when things seem hopeless.
- A sense of peace and calm comes over us when we trust in God.
- God has a plan all along, and trusting in Him can give us the strength to persevere.