- This week has been a difficult one, but God knows exactly what I need when I need it. He has shown up th in so many ways that have given me hope in the midst of what could otherwise seem hopeless. One of my favorite pastors is David Wilkerson. His book “The Cross and the Switchblade” is an incredible testimony of how God uses one man’s obedience in the cause of Christ, and how he has impacted many with the Gospel message. However, Wilkerson’s ministry has never been easy but I am sure he would say that all the suffering involved was worth it.
His ministry World Challenge which is now run by his son Gary sends out daily devotions from Pastor David, and this week each one has been exactly what my heart needed. Last night I opened my laptop to read all the latest devotionals that I had missed for the week, and knew that the Lord had put these messages in front of me for a purpose.
The devotion from Thursday titled “Living on the Promises” greatly challenged and encouraged me as I read it. It reminded me once again that I am not alone in my wilderness and suffering. No matter what the circumstances around me are I can always trust in God’s promises to never fail me. Just like God delivered the people from the wilderness so many years ago, He can also do the same for us. He is always working in and through us even if we do not realize it. I am so grateful that even though I literally have no idea what my future ahead will be — He does, and I can trust that He has a plan because I believe every Word that comes from God As mentioned below man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
I normally do not use other people’s writing in my blog posts, and I am sure this is not proper blogging etiquette. However, Wilkerson writes these words and expresses my thoughts better than I can at the moment so I am going to share his devotional below. I will also add a direct link to it and the many other devotions he has written. Be sure to get on his email list here, and have them delivered to your inbox each morning. Read and be encouraged.
Living on the Promises by David Wilkerson
“You shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness… He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).
I repeat these words throughout my day: “I live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
If God’s Word cannot be trusted — if the Bible is not the very inspired Word of God — then life is in vain. There can be no hope on the face of this earth.
When this word in Deuteronomy came to Israel, conditions in the wilderness had become very scary for them. God had allowed them to experience thirst and pangs of hunger, and now from the very mouth of the Lord we hear these words: “I humbled you and allowed you to suffer hunger and thirst. Why? All because I sought to make you know you can trust Me. You can live on My promises.”
God was not going to let His people starve or die of thirst. He knew exactly what He would do to deliver them. And, beloved, God also has a plan for your deliverance.
Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit to lead and comfort us in our trying times. Without His presence, His guidance, His daily outpouring of strength, none of us could make it. No human determination can survive the daily testing we endure on the path.
Daily we must cast ourselves upon God’s revealed Word and trust the Holy Spirit to make it become life to us. “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth… He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6, 9).
To read other devotionals from David and his son Gary visit here.
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