Body

Devotions

The Conviction of God’s Grace

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

Whenever the Spirit falls, two things are always in evidence: a spirit of grace and spirit of supplication. “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication” (Zechariah 12:10).

The book of Titus tells us that grace is given to us as power over sin, to enable us to live sober, holy lives. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

A marvelous measure of this grace has been present in God’s people ever since Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has sent conviction of sin on all nations, teaching believers of every race and tongue how to forsake ungodliness. The result has been a people who live soberly and righteously and are longing for the coming of Jesus.

I believe Zechariah 12 is prophesying that in the very last hour, the Holy Spirit will fall mightily upon God’s people with a spirit of grace that turns them completely from all worldliness. It will produce in them a purity of heart. God’s people will wake up to true “grace preaching” — the kind that convicts people of every hidden thing in their lives. Ministers will preach a convicting, sin-exposing, repentance message beyond anything ever seen in history. All unrighteousness, ungodliness and foolishness will be exposed, and those in God’s house will feel a “pressure” to do what is right.

Ministers worldwide who have been lukewarm will be moved upon by the Holy Spirit. God will smite them with the conviction of his grace and he will tell them, “The world is coming apart and soon you will stand before me. Start speaking to the hearts of the people with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.”

Satan Cannot Have You!

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

It was necessary for Jesus to take on human form so that he could go through everything we do on earth — rejection, pain, sorrow, temptation. Indeed, although he was God in flesh, he endured the whole human experience not as God, but as human, with all our frailties. This enables Jesus to pray for us with tremendous sympathy: “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

Consider a dear sister in a struggle. She is a lover of Jesus but she is discouraged, cast down, rejected. Standing in shame, she thinks, “I’ve been so hurt and nobody seems to understand me.” On the brink of giving up, she is in total despair.

On top of that, Satan stands beside her, accusing her, “Look at this one! She has virtually no faith. What kind of Christian is she?”

That is when Jesus steps in! He sees her pain and knows that her faith is weak, so he goes before the Father on her behalf and begins to intercede for her. He becomes her Advocate! “Father, I know what this dear one feels. I’ve been there — rejected; mocked; spat upon. In desperation, I cried out, ‘Why have You forsaken Me?’ I sympathize with this woman, Father, but I have washed away her sins and she still has a heart for me.”

This is where Jesus’ prayers for us come in: “Father, I would that she be given a new supply of grace from on high. May the Holy Spirit come upon her with a special renewing of encouragement. Give her peace and rest in the Holy Spirit. She is mine and Satan cannot have her!”

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, the woman feels encouraged because grace has been given to her through the prayers of our High Priest. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities — and He acts in mercy.

Jesus Is Praying For You

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

Jesus prayed constantly. He went to the mountains to pray; he sought places of solitude for prayer. He prayed in the morning and in the evening. In fact, Jesus said he did nothing without hearing it first from his Father — in prayer.

John 17 is all about Jesus’ prayer for his disciples and his people — all who followed him and believed in him. Yet, Jesus prayed not only for his followers, but “for those who will believe in Me through their [the disciples’] word” (verse 20). What a powerful truth. The phrase “those who will believe in Me” includes you and me!

Beloved, Jesus was praying for us when he walked this earth in the flesh but this prayer did not vanish into thin air. It has been burning on God’s altar all this time and God has accepted his Son’s prayer for each of us. Centuries ago we were on his mind; he even recorded this prayer in his Word, knowing we would be reading it.

Right now Jesus is praying for transgressors who have not yet turned to him. Scripture says he can save to the uttermost — “to the end of time” — all who will ever come to him.

Throughout my years of ministry I have seen many addicts gloriously saved and each time, I think to myself, “This one had to have had a praying mother or an interceding grandmother, and God is answering the prayers of those holy warriors.” But now I understand something even better than that. Jesus was praying for them all along! “I pray … for those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:9, 20).

If you have been running from the Lord, you will never get away from his prayers. The Father answers his Son and all who resist him, continuing in their sinful ways, are hardening their hearts to the prayers of Christ — who prayed for them on earth, and is praying for them still.

Satisfying Our Longing

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

Some of the most blessed people in God’s house are blind to their blessings. What a shame. They do not discern the great things the Father has given them — and so they do not enjoy them fully. Part of the reason may be the destructive habit of comparison.

You may look around in the Body of Christ and see other Christians who appear to be more talented and blessed. Some have memorized entire books of the Bible while others can preach or teach or sing. The devil wants you to compare yourself to others so you will say, “Poor me. I don’t have the brainpower to memorize God’s Word and I certainly can’t put together a sermon. I just don’t have any of the gifts my brothers and sisters have.”

Beloved, Jesus says, “You are blessed!” He did not say, “Blessed are the strong, the happy, the self-sufficient, the forceful, the greatly gifted.” But in that beautiful portion of Scripture commonly referred to as “The Beatitudes,” he mentions the poor in spirit; those who mourn; the meek; those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; the merciful; the pure in heart; the peacemakers; and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (see Matthew 5:3-10). He was saying, “You are blessed because my strength rests in your weakness. Because you trust in me, I can use you.” 

God knows all about human nature. Let’s look at Abraham for a moment. God knew he would have great joy when he received the promise of his son. Abraham could say, “He did it! God promised me a son and he kept his word.” Yet God also knew that Abraham would not be totally fulfilled when the child came. He would still have a restless, inner hunger, an inexplicable need that no human could touch.

Isn’t this what happens to us when we finally get the thing we have wanted so badly? We are most blessed when we understand that only the Lord himself can fully satisfy our deepest needs.

A Waning Fervor for God

Gary Wilkerson

In writing to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul shares his perception that their fervor for God is waning. Some of their ambition is shifting, moving off-center, and their focus is not clear, so he sends them a letter of strong correction.

“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! … We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children” (1 Corinthians 4:8, 10-14). 

Scholars tell us that the Corinthian church was probably the wealthiest of all the New Testament churches. Their location afforded them many opportunities for great wealth from the shipping industry. Paul was pointing out to them that they seemed to be too much like the society around them; while they had all these great things going for them, something was missing. Even with all their outward success, inside something was wrong.

What was going on in this church? Paul was not admonishing them for being prosperous or implying that being impoverished was somehow superior. No! He was pointing out that their focus was all wrong. They were trying to fulfill their hearts’ desires with the things of this world rather than pursuing God first. In other words, they were looking for love in all the wrong places. And because of this, their lives lacked impact for his kingdom. Likewise, today, we must be careful not to become distracted by pursuits that take us away from a clear vision of Jesus!