He Touched and Changed Many: Our Loss and Heaven’s Gain
April 29, 2011 Leave a Comment
When I was in the eighth grade attending a small rural church in north Texas, the young pastor of that little United Methodist Church handed me a small paperback book. I looked at the title, The Cross and the Switchblade. He told me it was a great book written by a preacher who went to the streets of New York to minister to the gangs of New York City.
I wasn’t one who especially liked to read in those days. I’d rather enjoy the outdoors; however, I opened the book and began reading. I was mesmerized by the story. David Wilkerson, a young preacher in Pennsylvania (I think at the time) felt the call of God to go to New York City and to present the Gospel to those rough gangs. He obeyed God and led dangerous gang leaders like Nicky Cruz to faith in Christ.
Early this morning, I heard about the loss of David Wilkerson in an automobile accident. We need to pray for his wife who was in critical condition yesterday. I think of David Wilkerson in many ways. He was the founder of Teen Challenge that has led to so many lives being changed and delivered from drugs and sin. He called America and the church to repentance as one who sounded forth the trumpet that we need to turn back to God. He pastored the great Times Square Church in New York City for a number of years. One thing is for sure. He was in the business of calling people to God and to holiness.
All I can say is he will be missed. I can only thank the Lord for His gift to the church of people like David Wilkersons. How we need more like him. Below you will find an online article copied from Charisma. In the article, you will find the words from his last blog which I find very appropriate as this tremendous servant of the Lord is parted from us.
Read Wilkerson’s Inspirational Last Words
To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Those were the last published words of David Wilkerson, founder of World Challenge Ministries.
Charisma News first reported Wilkerson was killed Wednesday in a car accident inEast Texas. But his legend will live on through the many books and sermons he delivered.
Here is the text of Wilkerson’s last blog post on David Wilkerson Today. It was posted on April 27, just hours before a head on collision that took his life:
“To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, ‘You have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen’ (John 20:29).
“Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.
“Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.
“That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger, overwhelming questions: ‘Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted.’
“Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: ‘Prayer failed. Faith failed. Don’t quit on God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t pay!’
“Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such demonic attacks.
“To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, ‘I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.’
“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.”
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