My Absolute Favorite
God is faithful to hear every whimper, no matter how faint, and will deliver us from our troubles.
David Wilkerson emphasizes Psalms 34 as his favorite, illustrating God's faithfulness in delivering His children from trials. He reflects on David's silent cries for help during overwhelming circumstances, highlighting that sometimes our deepest prayers are unvoiced yet heard by God. Wilkerson shares his own experiences of inner cries when words fail, affirming that God listens to the heart's desperate pleas. He encourages believers to trust in God's deliverance, even when they feel unable to articulate their struggles. Ultimately, the message is one of hope and assurance in God's attentive care during our darkest moments.
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Of all 150 Psalms, Psalm 34 is my absolute favorite. It is all about our Lord's faithfulness to deliver his children from great trials and crises. David declares, "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.... The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.... The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.... Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all" (Psalm 34:4,7.17,19).
Note David's claim in this Psalm: "I sought the Lord...this poor man cried...." (34:4, 6). When did David do this crying out? It had to have happened when he was feigning madness in Gath and yet he couldn't have prayed audibly in the Philistines' presence. This brings us to a great truth regarding God's deliverance. Sometimes the loudest cry is made without an audible voice.
I know what this kind of "inner crying out" is like. Many of the loudest prayers of my life--my most important, heart-wrenching, deepest cries--have been made in total silence.
At times I've been so benumbed by circumstances that I couldn't speak, overwhelmed by situations so beyond me that I couldn't think clearly enough to pray. On occasion, I've sat alone in my study so baffled that I was unable to say anything to the Lord at all, but the whole time my heart was crying out: "God, help me! I don't know how to pray just now, so hear the cry of my heart. Deliver me from this situation."
Have you ever been there? Have you ever thought, "I don't know what this is all about. I'm so overwhelmed by my circumstance, so flooded by deep pain, I can't explain it. Lord, I don't even know what to say to you. What is going on?"
I believe this is exactly what David went through when he was captured by the Philistines. When he wrote Psalm 34, he was making an admission: "I was in a situation so overwhelming that I played the part of a fool. Yet, inside I wondered, 'What is going on with me? How has this happened? Lord, help!'"
And so it seems David was saying, "This poor man cried out from within, not knowing what or how to pray. And the Lord heard me and delivered me." It was a deep cry from the heart, and the Lord is faithful to hear every whimper, no matter how faint.
Sermon Outline
- God's Faithfulness in Deliverance
- David's Experience in Psalm 34
- The Lord's Deliverance in Times of Crisis
- The Importance of Inner Crying Out
Key Quotes
“Sometimes the loudest cry is made without an audible voice.” — David Wilkerson
“I believe this is exactly what David went through when he was captured by the Philistines.” — David Wilkerson
“It was a deep cry from the heart, and the Lord is faithful to hear every whimper, no matter how faint.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- When you're overwhelmed by circumstances, cry out to God from within, even if you don't know what to say or how to pray.
- God is faithful to hear every whimper, no matter how faint, and will deliver us from our troubles.
- Silent prayers can be just as effective as audible prayers in times of crisis.