20. Devotional: A Promise for Difficult Times

Devotional: A Promise for Difficult Times

Author: David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

    I believe God has given us a very specific promise for the difficult times ahead. It was given to Abraham and his seed as an oath. "The oath which he swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life" (Luke 1:73-75, NKJV).

    God has sworn to deliver us from every enemy and fearful thing so we can serve him all the days of our lives without fear. Beloved, hunger is an enemy, as are nakedness and poverty.

    This oath from God must be the foundation of our trust in every crisis, calamity and fearful time. Memorize it. Let it be your holy argument at the throne of grace.

    In Psalm 121, David provides one of the most powerful Holy Ghost arguments ever given to man. The entire psalm tells us that all our help comes from the Lord alone. Psalm 124 is yet another holy argument, a specific promise to enable us to build special trust.

    Signature judgments bear a special mark of God in that they mirror the sins committed against him. As these judgments occur before our eyes, our only answer is to have Jesus as our shield.

    Today, run to meet him in the secret closet of prayer. Let your roots go deep into him; know he will keep you in all circumstances. Take hold of the following special promises in readiness for any and all calamities we may face.

    "Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness… His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid" (Psalm 112:4, 7-8).

    "He shall judge the world in righteousness… The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you" (Psalm 9:8-10). 

19. Hymn: O Lord, How Happy Should We Be

Hymn: O Lord, How Happy Should We Be

Author: Joseph Anstice (1808-1836)

1. O Lord, how happy should we be
    If we could cast our care on Thee,
    If we from self could rest,
    And feel at heart that One above,
    In perfect wisdom, perfect love,
    Is working for the best!

2. How far from this our daily life,
    Ever disturbed by anxious strife,
    By sudden, wild alarms!
    O could, we but relinquish all
    Our earthly props, and simply fall
    On Thy almighty arms!

3. Could we but kneel and cast our load,
    E'en while we pray, upon our God,
    Then rise with lightened cheer,
    Sure that the Father, who is nigh
    To still the famished raven's cry,
    Will hear in that we fear!

4. Lord, make these faithless hearts of ours
    Such lesson learns from birds and flowers;
    Make them from self to cease,
    Leave all things to a Father's will,
    And taste, before Him lying still,
    E'en in affliction, peace.

18. Devotional: Pray and Persevere

Devotional: Pray and Persevere

Author: David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

    God wants to ensure your heart is set on persevering, no matter how long his answers to prayer take.

    Jesus gave us a parable to prove that he waits for us to persevere. It is the parable of the distressed widow who kept coming to the judge and requesting justice (see Luke 18:2-8). The judge finally granted the widow’s request only because he did not want to be worn down by her constant pleading. "Yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me" (Luke 18:5, NKJV). Jesus responded, "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge his own elect who cry out day and night to him, though he bears long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily" (Luke 18:7-8).

    Most of us misinterpret this passage as Jesus speaking a paradox when he says, "bears long with them" and then "he will avenge them speedily." However, Jesus isn’t speaking of delaying a long time. He says God wants to answer us speedily, but God is "bearing something" that calls for patience on his part. He says, "I will put up with this thing I see in your heart. I will bear with you until you are willing to lay hold as you should for the answer."

    As I look back at some of the things I have persevered in prayer for, I see the Lord saying, "I'm holding up the request to you like a mirror. Through this, I will show you what is deep in your heart."

    I have seen doubt, fear, unbelief, and many things that have made me throw myself at Jesus’s feet and cry, "Oh, Lord, I’m not interested in the answers anymore, but only in getting this spirit out of me. I don’t want to doubt you."

    The hardest part of faith is the last half hour. When it seems God will not answer, we often give up and go on to something else. We think we are surrendering to God’s providence, depending on his sovereign will. We say, "Well, God, you must not have wanted it after all."

    No! That is not what God intended. When praying for God’s obvious will, such as the salvation of your family, you have every right to hold on and persevere. Never give up until Jesus answers.

17. Modern Worship Song: Still, My Soul Be Still

Modern Worship Song: Still, My Soul Be Still

Author: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

(Vocal)

(Music)

1. Still, my soul, be still, and do not fear
    Though winds of change may rage tomorrow.
    God is at your side no longer dread
    The fires of unexpected sorrow.

Chorus:

God, You are my God

And I will trust in You and not be shaken.

Lord of peace, renew

A steadfast spirit within me

To rest in You alone.

2. Still, my soul, be still do not be moved
    By lesser lights and fleeting shadows.
    Hold on to His ways with shield of faith,
    Against temptation's flaming arrows.

3. Still, my soul, be still, do not forsake
    The truth you learned in the beginning.
    Wait upon the Lord and hope will rise
    As stars appear when day is dimming.

16. Devotional: In God’s Time

Devotional: In God’s Time

Author: David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

    Many years ago, while walking the streets of New York City, I became worn out, tired in soul and body. I developed mononucleosis and ended up in the hospital for six weeks and developed a growth in my throat. I could not swallow, and sometimes I couldn’t even catch my breath. My weight soon fell to less than 115 pounds. Since I could not travel, all the income to the ministry quickly dried up, and it looked like the end of Teen Challenge. 

    I remember the night I cried out in desperation, "Lord, I give up! Teen Challenge is all yours. I am just going to trust you. If you want the ministry’s doors to close, that is up to you; but please, remove this thing from my throat." Within an hour, I coughed up a fleshy growth the size of a large walnut. 

    I left the hospital a day or two later and soon got my strength back. I discovered that while I was away, Teen Challenge had survived! I do not know how the Lord did it, but while I was ill, the staff began to trust the Lord instead of depending on me. That is what God was trying to accomplish.  

    Beloved, your troubles are not unforeseen accidents. No matter what you are going through or how deeply you are hurt, God is right on target and right on time. 

    You may think the devil came in and interrupted God’s plan for your life, but that is not the case. It does not matter if you did something stupid or careless. If you have repented, the Lord can harness everything meant for evil and turn it around for good. 

    Don’t focus on your past mistakes. God promised to restore to you all the years the cankerworm has eaten (see Joel 2:25).  Encourage yourself with these words and let them become your life and hope: "My God can do anything. He has not forgotten me. No one can change his plans. No matter how bad things look, he has everything under control!" 

15. Devotional: Go in Peace

Devotional: Go in Peace

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

Go in peace. (Luke 7:50)

    True peace flows from the pardon of sin. If we believe that God for Christ's sake has forgiven us all trespasses, our souls will enjoy peace; for being justified by faith, we have peace with God. We have nothing to fear from God, for having pardoned us, he has no charge against us; but we may expect every good thing from God, for having given us his Son, will he not with him also freely give us all things? If therefore we have no evil to fear, but every good to expect, may we not, ought we not, to be at peace? When Jesus pardoned the woman, he said to her "go in peace." So he says to us. Mind not what Satan says. Fear not what man can do. Go in the path of duty. Go, and face trials and persecutions. Go, and enjoy your temporal mercies. Go, and enjoy your religious privileges. Go, though dangers surround you. Go, though you feel weak and feeble. Go in peace, for God accepts you. Go, for your reconciliation to God is honourable and perfect. Go, and spread a Saviour's fame. Go, and tell of Jehovah's pardoning love. Go, and bear your personal testimony to the truth of his word. Go, and conquer all your foes. Go, ths night to rest in peace, and comfort your soul with this: "God is at peace with me."

O Lamb of God, in tender love,
Now bid my sorrow cease;
Kindly my doubts and fears remove,
​And bid ME, "Go in peace."

14. Hymn: 'Tis I! Be Not Afraid!

Hymn: 'Tis I! Be Not Afraid!

Author: Elizabeth R. Charles (1828-1896)

Tossed with rough winds, and faint with fear, 
Above the tempest, soft and clear, 
What still small accents greet mine ear?
“‘Tis I; be not afraid.”

“‘Tis I who led thy steps aright; 
‘Tis I who gave thy blind eyes sight; 
‘Tis I, thy Lord, thy Life, thy Light. 
‘Tis I; be not afraid.

“This bitter cup fear not to drink; 
I know it well—oh! do not shrink; 
I tasted it o’er Kedron’s brink. 
‘Tis I; be not afraid. 

“Mine eyes are watching by thy bed, 
Mine arms are underneath thy head, 
My blessing is around thee shed. 
‘Tis I; be not afraid.“

When on the other side thy feet 
Shall rest ‘mid thousands welcomes sweet, 
One well known voice thy heart shall greet. 
“‘Tis I; be not afraid.”

From out the dazzling majesty 
Gently He’ll lay His hands on thee, 
Whispering: “Beloved, lov’st thou Me? 
It was not in vain I died for thee,
‘Tis I; be not afraid.” 

13. A Quote from C. H. Spurgeon (18)

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12. Hymn: When I Saw the Cleansing Fountain

Hymn: When I Saw the Cleansing Fountain

Author: Margaret J. Harris (1865-1919)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. When I saw the cleansing fountain,
    Open wide for all my sin,
    I obeyed the Spirit’s wooing,
    When He said, “Wilt thou be clean?”

Refrain:

I will praise Him! I will praise Him!

Praise the Lamb for sinners slain;

Give Him glory, all ye people,

For His blood can wash away each stain.

2. Tho‵ the way seems straight and narrow,
    All I claimed was swept away;
    My ambitions, plans and wishes,
    At my feet in ashes lay.

3. Then God’s fire upon the altar
    Of my heart was set aflame;
    I shall never cease to praise Him,
    Glory, glory to His name!

4. Blessed be the name of Jesus!
    I’m so glad He took me in;
    He’s forgiven my transgressions,
    He has cleansed my heart from sin.

5. Glory, glory to the Father!
    Glory, glory to the Son!
    Glory, glory to the Spirit!
    Glory to the Three in One!

11. A Quote from A. W. Tozer (16)

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