Loving the Lost

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

“IN GOD HAVE I PUT MY TRUST — I WILL NOT FEAR!”

When David was taken captive in Gath by the Philistines, he testified, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh [man] can do unto me…. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” (Psalm 56:3–4, 12–13).

David, a fearless man of God, admitted he was afraid. A trusting, holy man — afraid! The truth is there are times when fear grips even the godliest people. It is natural to fear; we all fear at times. And David said he “greatly feared.” He was driven to tears, saying, “Put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (Psalm 56:8). At times he spoke of “swimming in tears.” Beloved, not one of your tears is wasted. Every tear — prompted by fear, flowing out of hurting eyes — is bottled by the Lord, drop after drop. They are precious to him, stored in his mind and heart.

Are you fearful of losing your job, your income — fearful of the uncertainty? Do not think you are faithless when sudden fear falls on you. However, when fear comes, you cannot stay there. You cannot fall deeper into despair and have anxiety attacks. David made a decision, saying, “No, I will not fear! I will trust in God!” Our tears of fear must be turned into tears of hope and praise, as David demonstrates: “I will praise his Word. In God have I put my trust. I will not fear what flesh can do to me.” Like him we must say, “I will not be afraid. I will trust in him!”

The disciples had spells of great fear. Scripture says at times these men were “sore afraid.” They found themselves in a great tempest with powerful winds and waves about to sink their boat. Yet while fear overwhelmed them, Jesus kept sleeping. So they woke him, crying, “Lord, save us, we perish! It’s all over, hopeless. We’re going down!” These were veteran sailors who had survived many past storms, yet now they thought, “This time we’re going to sink.” Everything looked as if they would die.

Beloved, the Lord has delivered you from so much in the past, but the storm you’re in now seems worse. DO NOT FEAR: WE HAVE A POWER ABIDING IN US THAT THE DISCIPLES DID NOT YET HAVE — THE ABIDING HOLY SPIRIT. Talk to him. He will guide you to the Word you need for each day. He will comfort you. He is the very Spirit of Christ. But you must ask! “He is given to them that ask.”

• “For as many as are LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14, my caps).

• “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:13).

Please know you are in our prayers. We want to give a special thanks to all who are able to continue to support our ministry’s many global outreaches to the poor and hurting. For more information on these ministries, visit: www.worldchallenge.org/missions/

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON

DW:bbm 8.17.09