David Wilkerson emphasizes God's active role in our lives and His readiness to respond to our prayers, contrasting it with the futility of false gods.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that God is not passive and will act on our behalf against the devil's schemes. He draws parallels to Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, illustrating that God answers prayer and is always attentive to our needs. Wilkerson highlights that God's honor is at stake when we pray, and He will not be mocked by silence. The sermon reassures believers of God's constant nearness and love, which brings peace and dispels fear and anxiety. Understanding this truth can transform our lives and deepen our trust in God.
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Do you think the Lord is going to sit by passively and let the devil do to you what he pleases? If God didn't act on your behalf when you needed Him, He would be nothing more than the false god Baal!
Elijah had a showdown with the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, where an altar was built. The test was: "The god who answers prayer today will be God!" Elijah prayed that fire would fall down supernaturally on the sacrifice he laid on the altar -- and that is exactly what happened.
But before that happened, the prophets of Baal danced from morning till noon, crying, begging, pleading with their god to answer. "But there was no voice, nor any that answered" (1 Kings 18:26).
Elijah mocked those false prophets: "Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked" (verse 27). Elijah was saying, "Where is your god? Is he on vacation? Is he sleeping? He must be out walking somewhere."
We could make the same mockery of God if He did not answer when we cry. You see, His honor is at stake when we pray, and He will not be mocked for not answering. The Bible says of Him: "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved . . . he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:3-4). Our God is awake at all times and He is attentive to our every need.
"They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth" (Psalm 119:150-151).
The glorious truth in this passage can change your life, bringing you peace and giving you rest beyond anything you have yet experienced. You see, once you understand the truth of God's constant nearness to you, that He loves you and is continually near you, all fear and anxiety must go.
Sermon Outline
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I
- God's active role in our lives
- Comparison with false gods
- The significance of answered prayer
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II
- The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal
- The challenge of faith
- God's demonstration of power
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III
- God's attentiveness to our needs
- The assurance of His presence
- The impact of understanding His nearness
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IV
- The consequences of unanswered prayers
- God's honor in responding
- Our response to His faithfulness
Key Quotes
“If God didn't act on your behalf when you needed Him, He would be nothing more than the false god Baal!” — David Wilkerson
“Our God is awake at all times and He is attentive to our every need.” — David Wilkerson
“Once you understand the truth of God's constant nearness to you, all fear and anxiety must go.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Trust in God's active presence in your life to alleviate anxiety.
- Engage in prayer with the expectation that God will respond.
- Reflect on the stories of faith in the Bible to strengthen your own faith.
