David Wilkerson:
I know what it is to question God as my wife endured cancer over and over, and then both our daughters were also stricken. Today they are all healthy and for that I thank the Lord. I
also know what it is to be buffeted by a messenger of Satan. I have been grievously tempted and enticed, and enemies have stirred up against me on all sides. I have been slandered by rumors, falsely accused, rejected by friends. In those dark times, I fell on my knees and cried out to God.
His grace has always brought me through—and that is enough for today.
Someday in glory, my Father will reveal to me the beautiful plan He had all along. He will show me how I obtained patience through all my trials; how I learned compassion for others; how His strength was made perfect in my weakness; how I learned His utter faithfulness toward me; how I longed to be more like Jesus.
Even though I may ask why, He continues to give an ever-increasing measure of Christ’s strength. In fact, many great revelations of His glory have come during my hardest times. Likewise, in your lowest moments, Jesus will
release in you the fullest measure of His strength.
We may never understand our pain, depression and discomfort. We may never know why some of our prayers are not answered—but we do not need to know. Our God has already answered us: “You have My grace. My beloved child, that is all you need.”
Here is one of the most insidious temptations facing truly godly people. Like your example, Jesus, you have a passion for God. You have set your heart to be wholly surrendered to Him. Then the Lord leads you into a wilderness experience and after a while, questions arise in your mind. You begin to lose your bearings, wondering about God’s eternal purposes in your life. While you try to pray and gain victory, Satan’s temptations seem fiercer than ever.
The enemy wants you to act independently of the Father. The devil says, “Your suffering is not of God. You do not have to go through this. You have God’s power in you, through the Holy Spirit. Just speak the word and free yourself. Satisfy your own hunger.”
How did Jesus answer the devil’s temptation? “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’”.
Christ said, in essence, “My coming to earth is not about My needs,hurts or physical comfort. I came to give to humankind, not to save Myself.”
Even at the height of His suffering, Jesus did not lose sight of His eternal purpose. And if our Lord learned dependence and compassion through a wilderness experience, so will we.
- David Wilkerson (God Is Faithful)