========================================================================
  THE LORD CHERISHES HIS CHURCH
  by David Wilkerson
========================================================================

Summary: God's heart is still set on saving the lost world, loving and
preserving His church, and every child of His.

Topics: "God's Love for the Church", "Divine Patience"
Scripture References: Job 7:17

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Wilkerson emphasizes that God cherishes His Church and is deeply
invested in the salvation of the world. He reflects on the testimonies
of biblical figures like Peter and Paul, who experienced God's patience
and love despite their past transgressions. Wilkerson reassures
believers that God's heart remains steadfast in loving and preserving
His Church, even amidst challenges and apostasies. He highlights that
God's eyes are always on the righteous, ensuring that no one is left
behind. Ultimately, the message is one of hope, underscoring God's
unwavering commitment to His people.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Job asks, "What is man, that You should exalt him, that You should set
Your heart on him, that You should visit him every morning, and test him
every moment?" (Job 7:17-18, my italics).

Hebrews 12:1 tells us that the world is encircled by a cloud of
witnesses who are with Christ in glory. What does this great cloud bear
witness to -- and who is their witness meant for? They speak to our
generation, by their lives and their words as recorded in Scripture. I
believe they say three things to us:

They are witnesses that God's heart is still set on saving this lost
world. God is still at work, pouring out his Spirit on all flesh and
moving on men and women in every nation.

God's heart is still set on loving and preserving his church. Even with
rampant apostasies and backslidings, the Lord cherishes his Body.

God's heart is still set on every child of his. The Lord will never
leave a single servant of his behind. The Scripture tells us, "The eyes
of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their
prayers" (1 Peter 3:12).

The apostle Peter is among this cloud of witnesses and he understands
why God is so patient. He cursed Jesus, swearing he never knew him.
Peter would say that God withholds his judgment on this generation, even
though there are multitudes still who curse and deny him, just as he
did.

The apostle Paul is also among this cloud of witnesses and he bears
witness to God's unlimited love. Paul cursed the name of Christ -- he
was a terrorist, hunting down God's people and dragging them off to be
jailed or killed. But he did it all in ignorance. Paul would say to us
that God is being patient with this present generation because there are
many who sin in ignorance, just as he did. They have not yet been
exposed to the gospel message.

How reassuring to know that God's eyes are ever on us and his heart is
set on loving every child of his.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-wilkerson/the-lord-cherishes-his-church/
========================================================================