======================================================================== FULL OF HOPE by David Wilkerson ======================================================================== Summary: God delights in us and will lead us forward despite our rebellion and unbelief, giving us hope and a victorious spirit. Topics: "Identity in Christ", "Hope" Scripture References: Numbers 14:8, Psalm 18:19, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 43:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:31, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 10:23, 1 Peter 2:9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ David Wilkerson emphasizes the unwavering hope and faith of Joshua and Caleb, who, despite the daunting challenges they faced, returned from the Promised Land filled with joy and confidence in God's promises. He contrasts their spirit with the despair of the Israelites, encouraging believers to recognize their worth in God's eyes and to seek His vision and hope amidst trials. Wilkerson reminds us that God delights in His people, and this revelation empowers Christians to overcome their struggles and fears. He calls on the faithful to embrace their identity as precious to God, assuring them that they cannot fail with His support. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joshua and Caleb were among the twelve spies sent to spy out the Promised Land. They didn't shed tears, bemoaning the conditions they had found. Rather, they rejoiced after searching out the land and came back full of hope, faith and vision. Do you know Christians like this? They are always rejoicing. You know they are enduring awful trials, yet they seem to know how to get hold of God in the midst of their situation. What about you? Are you always down, always complaining? Perhaps your personal problems or family situations have possessed you and eaten up your soul. Beloved, no matter what you are going through, you are precious to God. If you come to Him with a repentant heart and a hungry soul, He will give you His vision and hope. Joshua and Caleb had a revelation of their value in God's eyes and they knew Israel was special to the Lord. That was the key to their hopeful, victorious spirit. Joshua said, "If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us" (Numbers 14:8). In other words, "Because He delights in us, we are as good as in the land already." This is the same revelation David had: "He brought me out and delivered me because He delighted in me." Likewise, every victorious Christian today has this same revelation of the loving heavenly Father: "We can't fail! All our enemies are meat for us, because we are precious to the Lord. He delights in us." Let me reveal to you the great mercy of God in the preaching of Joshua and Caleb. Israel had spent the night in rebellion, wallowing in unbelief, weeping as though God had forsaken them, and finally appointing a captain to lead them back to Egypt. Yet the Lord sent Joshua and Caleb to them and they told the people, "In spite of your night of confusion -- in spite of all your misery and complaining -- God delights in you. He will lead you forward. Fear not, for you are precious to Him" (see Numbers 14:9). ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-wilkerson/full-of-hope/ ========================================================================