Getting Ready for the End of All Things

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

GOD KNOWS — GOD HEARS — GOD ANSWERS.

In my prayer walk today, I asked the Lord what he desires of us in these perilous times. In that sweet, familiar voice I heard: “God’s greatest joy is to behold unwavering trust in his children.” I believe I delight my Lord when I completely trust him while all things are frightful and dark.

As I write this letter, the headline in today’s Wall Street Journal reads, “Mounting Fears Pummel World Markets AS BANKING GIANTS RUSH TO FIND BUYERS” (capitals mine). The subhead reads, “Worst Crisis Since ’30s With No End in Sight.” A lot of very scary things are happening worldwide. No one has answers, only questions: “What has happened? And what is coming next?”

I have dear friends who have lost almost everything: stocks, bank accounts, houses, jobs. We are all going to be affected in some way. And we are all going to have our faith greatly tested. There is no safe haven now but in Christ and his promises.

Now, as I sit in my study — Bible open on my lap, the awful headlines of the newspaper lying on the floor at my side — I plead with the Lord: “What can I say, what can I write to God’s people in such a time as this?”

I have been preaching for over fifty-three years, and I’ve delivered countless messages about trusting God in hard times. But now it cannot be just a sermon. The promises of God can no longer be taken for granted. We are going to be faced with life and death issues. There is no turning back; things will never again be the same.

The Word of God must become our very life, our hope, the ground of our faith. Prayers and intimacy with Jesus must become “praying without ceasing,” plainly talking to him, pouring out our hearts in faith.

David said, “Fear was on every side… But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me” (Psalm 31:13-15).

Keep your Bible close at hand. Every day ask the Holy Spirit to give you special promises to keep you in faith and peace. At the bottom of this letter, I have given you a few Scripture references having to do with trust.

In closing: I have been overwhelmed with praise to God that in these unnerving days he is supplying the funds to carry on all our outreaches to the poorest and neediest all over the world. We are truly casting our faith on God’s faithfulness. Thanks to all who are helping in spite of all the troubling news.

Love in Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON

Psalm 18:2 * Ps. 18:30 *Ps. 31:19 *Ps. 37:40 *Ps. 40:3–4 *Ps. 56:3 *Ps. 56:11

DW:bbm 12.31.69