A LIFE WELL LIVED – DAVID BRAINERD

When a Christian truly knows the state of man, and realises power of the remedy available for the state of man in and through the saving grace of the LORD Jesus Christ, one would never stay quiet. We would be continuously restless, and would find ways and means to live and proclaim the gospel that transformed us.

David Brainerd, a Christian who committed himself for the missions work among the Native Americans, also called as American Indians, was a frail man. He was a man on fire for his LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, yet, he was a man who was dying a little by little each day because of tuberculosis.

David Brainerd was born on 20 April 1718, Haddam, Connecticut, United States. He died on 9 October 1747, at a young age of 29, in Northampton, Massachusetts, United States. The cause of his death is tuberculosis.

David Brainerd’s life inspired many a man over these centuries. Some of the more famous people are William Carey and Jim Elliot. Almost a year before his death, on 15 April 1746 David Brainerd wrote in his journal…
– “Oh, how precious is time, and how it pains me to see it slide away, while I do so little to any good purpose. Oh, that God would make me more fruitful and spiritual.”

What a perspective about time, God’s work, our fruitfulness and our walk with our LORD. David Brainerd lived his life well. Despite his health issues and all his struggles, he desired to be faithful to the LORD, as His child and His disciple. 

God gave David Brainerd a life and many things along with it. David Brainerd lived a life worthy of his LORD. He faithfully completed his race, that was set before him. How about us this morning? Where do we stand? How are we spending our time, our talents, our opportunities, our resources? Let us never ever forget that all what we have is all what the LORD Jesus has given to us out of His love and goodness for us. If so, what are we doing about them? Are we using them for the LORD, as He desires? 
– “9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” – Colossians 1:9-14
Even so, the LORD help us.