Thursday, April 28, 2011

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

Psalm 40:10 - I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. 

These could be the words spoken by Reverend David Wilkerson. My heart goes out as well as prayers to his family. He was former pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. Although there are many who know who this man was, there are even more who do not.

Those who knew him will understand both the sadness and joy in his passing in a tragic head-on collision Wednesday. The sadness comes in our knowing we will no longer hear the very truthful, tough and and also encouraging words of this man who loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart, soul and mind. We will miss the heartfelt cries of a man who heard God speak loudly and clearly about the transformation of this world as it begins to recognize what many believe are the last days before the return of Christ. He was considered a modern-day prophet.

Like the scripture above, Wilkerson did not keep what God wanted him to speak within his heart. He poured it out for a lost and dying world, despite constant criticism. He was also known for his work with the founding of Teen Challenge, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers around the world. It was God's call on his life to preach the Gospel to the gang members in the streets of New York City. That was his first call and he was obedient even when he didn't understand how or why. But I believe his sermons and messages were an even greater calling.

His timely messages were shared from his heart with those who chose to listen to him preach or read his daily devotions. He lived a life very close to the Lord. He admonished and encouraged, often in the same breath because he knew that when God had a powerful word for all mankind, its hard words were not always to chastise as much as open the eyes of those who might need to hear, that they be saved and guided to an all powerful God. He longed for people to realize Christ as the answer to all that anyone needs in this world. He longed for people to get right with Christ. One never knows when his last day will be...even as in his case.   

This is what David Wilkerson was all about. Praise God for his never backing down, even when people laughed or called him a false prophet. Jesus never said following Him would be easy. Thank you, Lord, for Reverend Wilkerson's faithfulness. The prophet Isaiah heard God speak and he responded. So did Wilkerson. Isaiah 6:8 - Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 

On a day that was one of such tragedy in the southeast part of the US with amazingly horrible tornadoes flashing across the news, all the deaths involved, along with the glitz and glamor of the preparations for a royal wedding, his loss was especially sad among those who cared and who stood on his words. 

We may not have been affected by any of these natural occurrences. Life goes on for us. But we still need to know that we know where we will be on our last day. To see the face of Jesus is my desire. To know without a shadow of a doubt where my eternal life will be is the most important thing. That only happens when we are in that wonderful relationship with Christ. To know Him, know the meaning of the sufferings of the One who first suffered and then died for our sins. To know without a doubt that He is alive and still working in this world, that He can still be heard and received by those who need to know Him, He who is the only Way, Truth and Life.

It saddens me that with all the lives lost in our country we do not know how many truly knew the Lord. I don't mean know of Him but know Him personally, like Wilkerson...and like He encouraged others to do...and encouraged believers to stay strong in their faith. I don't doubt Wilkerson's faith was strong even in the midst of spiritual battles. We can learn from him.

We have lost a great Christian man with vital words for this generation. He did not mince thoe words either. You can read twenty plus years' worth of messages here: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/pulpit_series_newsletters

I'm sure even the pastors today who still proclaim the truth in the pulpits will be criticized. Anyone who tries to open the eyes of others will be criticized and rejected. Some day the truth will become known. The truth of Jesus Christ will become known and there will be some surprised people!

Wilkerson followed the Lord with all his heart and soul and I don't doubt he's with Jesus and he's heard the words "Good and faithful servant." Wouldn't we all like to hear that? Shouldn't we all care about this? How are we doing? Are we doing at all? Who will do as David Wilkerson did? Would he have proclaimed this:

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. (Acts 20:20, 27)

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