God's Measure of Success
God's measure of success is being totally fulfilled in ministering to Him, and this can be achieved by seeking Him and spending time with Him.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that true success in God's eyes is found in being fulfilled through ministering to Him, rather than seeking earthly recognition or security. He reflects on the 100 prophets hidden by Obadiah, who, despite being forgotten by the world, were given the invaluable gift of time to grow spiritually and prepare for their future ministry. Wilkerson shares his own experience of preaching in solitude, highlighting the importance of seeking God's heart over pursuing public ministry. He encourages believers to focus on their relationship with God, assuring them that He will call them to serve when they are ready. Ultimately, success is defined by one's devotion to God rather than worldly achievements.
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Success in God's eyes is being totally fulfilled in ministering to him. Such servants aren't striving to "make it" or seeking earthly security. They only want to know their Lord and to minister to him. Think about the 100 prophets hidden by Obadiah (1 Kings 18:4). They lived an isolated existence in caves for at least three to four years, during a severe famine. These men had no outside ministry. They were completely out of the public's view, forgotten by most people. They couldn't even share in Elijah's victory on Mount Carmel.
No doubt, the world would call them failures, insignificant men who hadn't accomplished anything. Yet God had given these devoted servants the precious gift of time. They had days, weeks, even years to pray, study, grow and minister to the Lord. You see, God was preparing them for the day when he would release them to minister to his people. Indeed, these same men would shepherd those who returned to God under Elijah's ministry. Years ago, the Lord blessed me with this gift of time.
Before I ever pastored a church, I went into the woods and preached to the birds and trees. I had no plans, no agenda, no dreams. I only wanted to get to know God's heart. So I prayed daily, seeking the Lord and ministering to him. And I marked my Bible from cover to cover. I was hidden, not seen by anyone. But God knew my address all along. My advice is, "Quit looking for ministry. Spend your time seeking God instead. He knows where to find you. He'll summon you when he sees you are ready. Forget what others are doing. Strive to be a success at God's throne. If you're ministering to the Lord and praying for others, you are already a success in his eyes!"
Sermon Outline
- God's Measure of Success
- The Example of the 100 Prophets
- The Importance of Seeking God
- Don't look for ministry, seek God instead
- God knows where to find you, He'll summon you when you're ready
Key Quotes
“Success in God's eyes is being totally fulfilled in ministering to him.” — David Wilkerson
“Don't look for ministry, seek God instead.” — David Wilkerson
“God knows where to find you, He'll summon you when He sees you are ready.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Spend time seeking God and ministering to Him, rather than seeking earthly security or recognition.
- Trust in God's timing and know that He will summon you when you are ready to serve Him.
- Focus on being a success at God's throne, rather than comparing yourself to others.