Wilderness Journey
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's power and provision to navigate through the challenges and difficulties of life.
David Wilkerson illustrates the Christian life as a wilderness journey, akin to the Israelites' experience, where faith is the only means of crossing the treacherous terrain of life. He emphasizes the importance of keeping one's eyes on the Lord amidst uncertainty and challenges, drawing parallels to King Jehoshaphat's battle where God provided miraculous deliverance. Wilkerson encourages believers to seek solitude with Jesus, trusting Him alone for guidance and salvation, rather than relying on their own understanding. He reminds us that God's power is made perfect in our weakness and that we must look to Him for help and direction. Ultimately, the promise of God's presence and provision is a source of hope for every believer on their journey.
Text
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, pictured the Christian like someone trying to cross a sea of floating pieces of ice. The Christian cannot rest anywhere while crossing, except in his faith that God will see him through. He cannot stand anywhere too long, otherwise he sinks. After taking a step, he must watch out for the next. Beneath him is the abyss and before him is uncertainty--but always ahead is the Lord--firm and sure! He doesn't see the land yet, but it is there--a promise in his heart. So the Christian traveler keeps his eyes fixed upon his final place!
I prefer to think of life as a wilderness journey--like that of the children of Israel. And King Jehoshaphat's battle, along with all the children of Judah, is also our battle (see 2 Chronicles 20). Sure, it's a wilderness; yes, there are snakes, dry water holes, valleys of tears, enemy armies, hot sands, drought, impassable mountains. But when the children of the Lord stood still to see his salvation, he spread a table in that wilderness--rained manna from above--destroyed enemy armies by his power alone--brought water out of rocks--took poison out of the snakebites--led them by pillar and cloud--gave them milk and honey--and brought them into the Promised Land with a high and mighty hand. And God warned them to tell every following generation: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
Stop looking in the wrong direction for help. Get alone with Jesus in a secret place; tell him all about your confusion. Tell him you have no other place to go. Tell him you trust him alone to see you through. You will be tempted to take matters into your own hand. You will want to figure things out on your own. You will wonder if God is working at all--there is nothing to lose. Peter summed it all up: "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).
"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:22).
"Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7).
Sermon Outline
- The Wilderness Journey
- A Journey of Faith
- Dependence on God
- Trust in God's Power
Key Quotes
“He doesn't see the land yet, but it is there--a promise in his heart.” — David Wilkerson
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” — David Wilkerson
“To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Trust in God's power and provision to see you through the challenges of life.
- Get alone with Jesus in a secret place to find comfort and guidance.
- Look unto God and not unto yourself for help in times of trouble.