David Wilkerson Devotions

As Jesus made his way toward Galilee, he came to Jacob’s Well in Samaria where he stopped to rest from his journey. When his disciples went to buy food, a Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water and Jesus made a simple request of her: “Give Me a drink” (John 4:7).

Christ’s words to this woman began a long conversation and during their talk, she was amazed at the things he told her. Finally, she said, “‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He’” (John 4:25-26).

Every Christian knows that God doesn’t dwell in manmade temples or buildings. Instead, our Lord has chosen to live in human vessels — that is, in the hearts and bodies of his people. Every believer can boast with confidence, “God lives in me.” Of course, the Lord is everywhere, but according to his Word, the blood-cleansed heart is his permanent dwelling.

Where is the church in the midst of chaos? It is full of religious activity but it is mostly flesh. That is tragic, because our Lord always has a remedy for a world in chaos. A time-tested remedy he has used for generations to wake up his dead, backslidden church, it is simply this: God raises up chosen men and women.

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah … saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.’ But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish” (Jonah 1:1-3).

Surrender. In literal terms, surrender means to give up something to another person. It also means to relinquish something granted to you — your possessions, power, goals, even your life.

Christians hear much about the surrendered life, but what does it really mean? The surrendered life is the act of giving back to Jesus the life he granted you. It’s totally resigning your life over to his hands to do with you as he pleases.

Jesus lived his life on earth wholly dependent on the heavenly Father. Our Savior did nothing and said nothing until he first consulted with his Father in glory. And he performed no miracles except those the Father instructed him to. He declared, “As My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And … the Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:28-29).

Jesus asked a question in Luke 18:8: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” I have always wondered at this question. What could the Lord mean? As I look around at the Church today, I think no other generation has been more focused on faith than ours.

When the Lord touches someone and he is driven to his knees, he becomes intimate with Christ. He enters into a place of rest and begins to minister to Christ with new passion and a greater love.

This servant also becomes more aware of the coming Day of Judgment when he knows that God will ask him one great question: “How did you portray Christ to a lost world?”

“We do not lose heart … but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2). The apostle Paul states that we are called to be a manifestation of the truth. Of course, we know Jesus is this truth. So, what does Paul mean by saying, in essence, that we are to manifest Jesus? 

Moses was possessed by God. When he lived in Pharaoh’s house, he refused to be called Pharaoh’s son: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25-26).