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FROM the PRAYER CLOSET to THE LION'S DEN
by David Wilkerson
The Bible shows a pattern in the lives of all Godīs people. In case
after case, when God began to fulfill his promises, the roof seemed to cave in.
Think of Daniel, a handsome, gifted young man who was chosen
to serve in the kingīs palace (see Daniel 1:3-6). He pledged
himself to a life of holiness and separation from the world and
was promoted because of his excellence. "Then this Daniel
distinguished himself .... Because an excellent spirit was in him;
and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm"
(Daniel 6:3). But devious men became jealous and devised a
plan to destroy Daniel, resulting in his being thrown into a den
of lions. God intervened and delivered his servant by shutting
the mouths of the lions!
Think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three exceptional
young men who were brought to the kingīs palace, where they
were made leaders in the government. However, when the king
commanded that everyone bow before his false god, they refused
and were immediately bound and thrown into the fiery furnace
that was prepared for them. All seemed lost until the Son of God
showed up in the fire and delivered them!
And think of Elijah. God gave him a glorious promise of a spiritual
awakening in the land, of an outpouring of abundant rain, and a
new day of victory for Godīs people. Wicked Ahab and Jezebel
were to be overthrown and peace was to rule over the realm. But
Jezebel threatened Elijahīs life, the prophets of God were killed,
and the land continued in wickedness and drought. Elijah felt
alone and confused before the promise was fulfilled. Read this
account in 1 Kings 18 and 19.
Do not be deterred by adverse, confusing circumstances in your
life. One does not go from the prayer closet directly to some
mountaintop victory. You may have to go to the lionsī den, or the
fiery furnace, or the valley of confusion. But do not despair! God
is sovereign and the Shepherd is still leading. Your suffering and
confusion will give way to a faith that will never fail - a faith that
has been tried, as gold, in the fire of adversity.
by David Wilkerson
The Bible shows a pattern in the lives of all Godīs people. In case
after case, when God began to fulfill his promises, the roof seemed to cave in.
Think of Daniel, a handsome, gifted young man who was chosen
to serve in the kingīs palace (see Daniel 1:3-6). He pledged
himself to a life of holiness and separation from the world and
was promoted because of his excellence. "Then this Daniel
distinguished himself .... Because an excellent spirit was in him;
and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm"
(Daniel 6:3). But devious men became jealous and devised a
plan to destroy Daniel, resulting in his being thrown into a den
of lions. God intervened and delivered his servant by shutting
the mouths of the lions!
Think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three exceptional
young men who were brought to the kingīs palace, where they
were made leaders in the government. However, when the king
commanded that everyone bow before his false god, they refused
and were immediately bound and thrown into the fiery furnace
that was prepared for them. All seemed lost until the Son of God
showed up in the fire and delivered them!
And think of Elijah. God gave him a glorious promise of a spiritual
awakening in the land, of an outpouring of abundant rain, and a
new day of victory for Godīs people. Wicked Ahab and Jezebel
were to be overthrown and peace was to rule over the realm. But
Jezebel threatened Elijahīs life, the prophets of God were killed,
and the land continued in wickedness and drought. Elijah felt
alone and confused before the promise was fulfilled. Read this
account in 1 Kings 18 and 19.
Do not be deterred by adverse, confusing circumstances in your
life. One does not go from the prayer closet directly to some
mountaintop victory. You may have to go to the lionsī den, or the
fiery furnace, or the valley of confusion. But do not despair! God
is sovereign and the Shepherd is still leading. Your suffering and
confusion will give way to a faith that will never fail - a faith that
has been tried, as gold, in the fire of adversity.