Hebrews 12: 2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God
- DAILY READING Matthew 20:17-34; Numbers 15-16; Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20
David Livingstone, is called “the apostle of Africa”. Strongly devoted to Christ, in 1840 when he was 27 years he was ordained as a missionary and set sail for South Africa. By 1855, in his expeditions, he had crossed the entire continent, a feat which never before had been accomplished by any European.
Though Livingstone suffered many illnesses and scrapes with death in his expeditions, he continued to press on deeper into Africa. At a point he pressed so deep into Africa that nothing was heard from him for a number of years and many feared him dead. On November 10, 1871 Henry M. Stanley was sent by the New York Herald to look for him, Stanley later found him in the depths of Africa exploring with the natives. Stanley who was a self-professed atheist later converted to Christ because of Livingstone’s example. Still forging on into the heart of Africa to spread the Gospel, two years later, David Livingstone was found dead– praying on his knees in a hut. His physical heart was fittingly buried in African soil, while his body was eventually brought back to England to be laid to rest in Westminster Abbey
David livingstone was quoted as saying ‘if you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if they know there is no road at all.’
Trailblazers go where there are no roads at all. They go where others have never gone, to forge a road for others to follow. They do the unusual, the uncommon. But to be able to do this they have within them the inner confidence that God is backing them up.
You need courage and confidence to move forward to achieve your vision. How could Dr. Livingstone, a white man, ruggedly keep pressing into Africa, considered the white man’s grave at that time?. He knew God had sent Him and was with him. One way to move with confidence is to know you have been sent by God. Knowing that God sent him was what gave Moses the confidence to confront pharaoh, it was also what gave David the confidence to run towards Goliath, whom the whole army of Israel were running away from. Knowing that God has sent you gives you the confidence to confront any challenge and level any mountain. Because when God sends you, He also backs you up.
The road to greatness is an uncommon way. It is the preserve of the brave, those who are strongly connected to their God. For sure there will oppositions on the way. There will be pharaohs to confront, giants to fight and red seas to cross. But though it is a road fraught with dangers and uncertainties, when God is with you, there is no fear. You move with confidence knowing that He will take care of every opposition. It is this strong confidence that God has sent you and God is with you that gives you the courage to break barriers and cross frontiers.
So commit today to get to know God more through His Word. For they that do know their God, they shall be strong and they shall do exploits.
PRAYER: Lord please grant me the revelation of Your abiding Presence with me, always. So that by The Spirit I can go forth to do great things. .
quote
It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – WORDBITE 201.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]