When my mother read Rev. David Wilkerson's book, The Cross and the Switchblade to my brother and I when we were kids it was a huge inspiration to this farm boy to hear about another who left his farming community to minister to gang members in New York City, where I've lived since 1993. So I was deeply saddened to read about his tragic death in a car accident yesterday.
I've been edified by his daily devotions for some time now, and I thought I'd post his last. The man who urged his church to make 2,000 sandwiches on 9/10/01 touched on the temptation to lose hope when "a loved one is facing death..." within 24 hours of his own.
David Wilkerson Today
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011
WHEN ALL MEANS FAIL
To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most
acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, "You have believed because you have seen,
but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen" (John 20:29).
Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to
prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.
Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of
all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems
inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.
That is when Satan's hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger,
overwhelming questions: "Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no
tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted."
Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: "Prayer failed. Faith
failed. Don't quit on God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn't
pay!"
Even questioning God's existence will be injected into your mind. These have
been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who
ever lived were under such demonic attacks.
To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping
will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon
hear the Father whisper, "I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but
one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was
no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in
your hour of pain."
Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means
fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word.
There is no other hope in this world.
