Our Loss, Heaven's Gain

I was deeply saddened last week when I learned that David Wilkerson had been killed in a fatal car accident. My heart sank as I opened the daily devotional that morning, as I do every morning, only to read that David had gone to be with the Lord. I rejoiced in his going home, yet pondered, what a great loss for this world. I reflected back on the last devotional he had written and his words could not have been more powerful. I had printed off the devotional to keep in my Bible, and pulled it back out from the day before to reflect on his final words:


"Beloved, God has never failed to act
 but in goodness and love. 
When all means fail-His love prevails. 
Hold fast to your faith. 
Stand fast in His Word. 
There is no other hope in this world."


Those words took my breath away and brought me to tears. I would no longer hear such wise Spirit filled words from this man who had been used greatly by God to carry my faith. In a moment, he was gone. I heavily relied on His teachings, devotionals, and newsletters throughout the steps of faith that I took over the past 6 years. For instance, last year God had been speaking to me about "Crossing the Jordan River" . . . I had accepted by faith that this was God's Word to me, but 6 months later began to doubt. One day, I took a walk in the park by my home, speaking deeply to God about my doubts about "Crossing the Jordan." I felt that heaven had fallen silent and I walked home confused, wondering if I had truly heard from God on this matter. As I arrived home, I checked the mailbox, and found David Wilkerson's Newsletter that had arrived. I walked in my home, opened the letter and nearly fell to my knees as I read the title, "A Skeptics Guide to Crossing the Jordan." I sat down, embraced by God's holy presence, realizing that this man of God (David Wilkerson) had just been used in impacting my faith in greater ways than he would ever know. (Coincidence? Never . . . there is no such thing when you're walking with the Lord. Proverbs 16:9 tells us, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.")


I mourn at this loss, yet rejoice that he was a man surrendered to God who I am CERTAIN captured God's heart. If you have never heard of David Wilkerson, I invite you to go to World Challenge. Download his sermons, read his archived newsletters . . . you will find more strength for your faith than you can imagine. I read his works OVER and OVER and OVER! I will continue to.


I want to share this VERY moving teaching of David Wilkerson. A man after God's own heart . . . a man who   asked God to break His heart for the things that broke God's. A man who left this world a better place than when he came into it. Thank you Lord, for the precious gift of this man's life! I am "challenged" by Mr. Wilkerson . . . to use the precious life I'm given to glorify God and leave this world by impacting it in the name of Jesus!



I would also HIGHLY recommend his book,
"Hungry for More of Jesus."