The Psalmist writes, "The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floodshave lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves" (Psalm 93:3).
The floods represent the rising waters of afflictions, the overwhelming crises that are coming on the earth affecting multitudes. This is the flood of unemployment, housing nightmares, ever-growing financial difficulties. We now face a great flood of fear and confusionabout what to do to survive the storm.
It tears my heart to have a single mother stop me on the streetweeping, "Pastor, what am I going to do? I lost my job, and I may lose my apartment. I have nothing to live on. Where will I go?" Top-level executives are being laid off with no warning. Workers tell me they see bosses crying at their desks, asking, "What willI do? I'm broke. What about my mortgage? I have no benefits."
Some terrible things are happening, even to some of the godliest believers. I ask God, "Lord, what do I tell them? They are in the flood." I know these saintly people pray and read God's Word. Indeed, they have learned to trust the Lord. But now their faith is being tested to the limit. I get calls from some who are soon to lose everything. I can't just give these people a pep talk and a few Scriptures and ask them to cheer up. I am not suffering theway they are. I still get paid, and I am not in danger of losing my home.
I ask you, please, hear my heart as I say this: The time is not far away before we all will be deeply affected by the economic floodcoming to the whole world. Great trials are ahead for all of us who deeply love the Lord. Here is what I am led to do by the Holy Spirit. I ask it of my family, all of whom work with the church body. I urgeyou to pray to see if the Lord is leading you to do the same: No more buying of luxuries. Cut all spending except absolute necessities. Sell every unneeded item. Turn it to cash and give it to ministries, to the poor and needy. Downsize as much as possible. Be willing to let it all come to this: "Having food and raiment[covering], let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:8).
Build up your faith by reminding the Lord daily of his promises: "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King forever" (Psalm 29:10). "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness" (Psalm 31:1).
In Christ,
David Wilkersonhttp://www.tscpulpitseries.org/
2 comments:
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
These are Jesus' own words, saints! He wants us not to look at what's going on in the world around us. The world is full of tribulation. The saints of God have always suffered. This is where the "rubber meets the road" so to speak. Pardon my unscriptural platitude. We must press on in Him. We must walk in the faith He has given us.
Fear not, saints; He has overcome the world!
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