COVER LETTER
Dearly Beloved:
GOD’S LOVE PREPARES HIS SERVANTS FOR UPHEAVAL AND CHANGE.
This is the message at the heart of Psalm 46. The Psalmist begins by telling us what God is to his people: a refuge, a strength, a present help in trouble.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early” (Psalm 46:1–5, my italics).
I wonder, do we truly believe this word? Do we truly know that God is all these things to us, even when all around us there is upheaval? When our world is changing drastically? Do we believe God is a very present help “though the earth be removed [changed]…mountains fall into seas…mountains shake…waters roar and are troubled”?
This Psalm was the first in a series of calls to Israel. It was a song meant to be sung in the face of the worst possible calamities. It is also a message for us today. Right now we are in the very last of the last days. Our world is changing at warp speed and no one can stop what God has set into motion. In our personal lives we are also facing many changes. We know about troubled waters, roaring seas, family crises, financial hardships. The future of our loved ones can seem so uncertain.
YET IN THE FACE OF IT ALL WE READ THESE WORDS: “WE WILL NOT FEAR!” (verse 2). Tell me, how can we not fear when the whole world is tottering? The Psalmist answers, “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God” (verse 4). In the very midst of the chaos, there is a steady, flowing river with streams running in all directions — streams that produce gladness.
Beloved, this calm, steady river flows through everyone who trusts in the Lord. It is the very Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit — and the streams flowing from him to us have to do with NOT FEARING.
These streams bring God’s promises to life in us. “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the Scripture said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water… He spake this of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive” (John 7:37–39). Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit moves and flows only through God’s Word. He cannot flow in those who are not drinking living water, who ignore his Word. He says clearly, “Let him come to me and drink.”
How do we come to him and drink? We get into his Word — for Jesus is the Word! We pray for increasing hunger and thirst for every word that proceeds from God’s mouth. This is our refuge, our strength, our present help in the time of trouble. We are to pray God’s promises, knowing them and holding him to his Word. Out of us will flow living water, truth made alive by the Spirit.
May our precious Lord open his Word to you even this day.
Many thanks to those who continue to support our worldwide ministry to the hungry and hurting. For information visit www.worldchallenge.org/missions
In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
DW:bbm 12.31.69
