David Wilkerson Devotions

“As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness’” (Hebrews 3:7-8).

“Let us hold fast our confession [of faith]” (Hebrews 4:14).

Some who have backslidden tell themselves, “I can get right with the Lord whenever I choose. I’m just not ready. I’m not mad at God; I just need time with my friends, time to enjoy myself. I know God is loving and merciful, so when I’m ready, I’ll come to Him. I’ll know when that time is.” I hear these thoughts especially among young people who are drifting away.

I once heard a missionary speak of great awakenings around the world. It was clear that in every case, the “spirit of prayer” is tied to the last harvest. In Vietnam, China, Siberia, the Amazon, Africa, God’s people are praying with fire and fervency — weeping and crying out to God, seeking His face, dealing with sin and turning to righteousness.

Let us look at Daniel’s prayer: “Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications … incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations … for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of your great mercies” (Daniel 9:17-18).

The word “supplication” is never used in the Bible except to denote a cry or prayer that is vocalized; in other words, it is not private or a meditation. Supplication definitely has something to do with the voice!

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).

It doesn’t matter what kind of manifestations you see in a so-called revival. It is not a true move of God unless it is focused on the harvest! Holy Ghost rains always fall to produce an ingathering of souls.

God poured out His Spirit at Pentecost to soften and prepare the ground for the gospel seed to be sown. Spirit-filled believers were sent out from the Upper Room into the entire world to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

David instructs us, “Those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence” (Psalm 31:19–20). It is time to shut ourselves in with Christ and pour out our hearts to Him.

When the fury of the storm strikes, we will need our own individual supply of strength. When we are in the midst of the storm, none of us will be able to make it on the strength of anyone else. We won’t be able to draw on our mate, our pastor, our friend, even a prophet of God.

The writer of Hebrews praises the testimony of those believers who were strengthened through faithful prayer: “You endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations . . . and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods” (Hebrews 10:32–34).

“At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. [Notwithstanding] the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me … And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever” (2 Timothy 4:16-18, my italics).

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, my italics).

This message is meant for all who have fallen away or turned away from the Lord. According to the apostle Paul, who wrote the verse above, “Today is the day of mercy and grace.” In other words, if you ever plan to believe, that time is now.