David Wilkerson was a famous Christian pastor and spiritual leader. In the 1950’s, he left his relatively rural background in Indiana and Pennsylvania and traveled to New York City to begin working with gang members and drug addicts. Out of that move was born Teen Challenge, a Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation program which today has grown to 1,000 centers in the United States and in 80 other countries. Rev. Wilkerson’s experiences were depicted in a book, “The Cross and the Switchblade”, which has sold over 50 million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. In 1987, Rev. Wilkerson went on to establish Times Square Church near Broadway in New York City which he pastored for 23 years. David Wilkerson was suddenly killed in an automobile accident on April 27th, 2011. The following is his personal devotional from that day, April 27th, which can be applied to anyone who is seriously battling prostate cancer. (See http://www.worldchallenge.org/in-memory-of-david-wilkerson/.)
“To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, ‘You have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those who believe and have not seen’ (John 20:29). Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer – who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.
Someone has come to the place of hopelessness – the end of hope – the end of all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.
That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger and over-whelming questions: ‘Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted.’ Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: ‘Prayer failed. Faith failed. Don’t quit on God – just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t pay.’ Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such demonic attacks.
To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights – and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, ‘I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.’
Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail – His love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast on His Word. There is no other hope in this world.”