Prepared for Any Crisis
Those who have been with Jesus are always ready to face any crisis, trusting in His supernatural comfort and strength.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared for crises, illustrating this through the story of a couple who, despite the tragic loss of their daughter, found supernatural comfort and strength through their relationship with Jesus. Their unwavering faith allowed them to respond with grace and even pray for their daughter's murderer, demonstrating the profound impact of being grounded in faith. The couple's calmness in the face of unimaginable sorrow astonished their community, showcasing the power of God's presence in times of trouble. Wilkerson reminds us that true preparation comes from a deep connection with Christ, enabling us to face any crisis with peace and strength.
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When a crisis strikes, you don't have time to build yourself up in prayer and faith. But those who have been with Jesus are always ready.
A couple wrote to our ministry recently in a spirit that revealed they'd been with Jesus. Their 24-year-old daughter had been out with a friend when a madman kidnapped both young women. Then he murdered their daughter in a grisly fashion.
The couple was in shock. Their friends and neighbors wondered, "How could any parent survive this kind of tragedy?" Yet, within an hour, the Holy Spirit had come to that sorrowing couple, bringing supernatural comfort. Of course, in the painful days that followed, those grieving parents continued to ask God why. Yet, all the while they experienced divine rest and peace.
Everyone who knew these parents was astonished at their calmness, but that couple had been prepared for their moment of crisis. They'd known all along that God would never allow anything to happen to them without an underlying purpose. And when the terrible news came, they didn't fall apart.
In fact, these parents and their surviving children began praying for the killer. The people in their town couldn't accept it. But the godly couple spoke and taught of God's ability to provide strength, no matter what they may face. The townspeople recognized their strength as coming only from Jesus. Soon they were saying of the couple, "They're a miracle. Those are true Jesus people."
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof" (Psalm 46:1-3).
Sermon Outline
- Preparation for Crisis
- Crisis Response
- Witnessing to Others
- Speaking of God's strength
- Teaching of Jesus' power
Key Quotes
“When a crisis strikes, you don't have time to build yourself up in prayer and faith. But those who have been with Jesus are always ready.” — David Wilkerson
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Develop a personal relationship with Jesus to trust in His presence and power in times of trouble.
- Respond to crises with faith, trust, and prayer, and seek to witness to others about God's strength and power.
- Seek divine rest and peace in the midst of a crisis by trusting in God's presence and power.