“Lord's day, Oct. 19. ‘In the morning I felt my soul hungering and thirsting after righteousness. While I was looking on the elements of the Lord's Supper, and thinking that Jesus Christ was not "set forth crucified before me,’ my soul was filled with light and love, so that I was almost in an ecstasy; my body was so weak I could scarcely stand.
“I felt at the same time an exceeding tenderness and most fervent love toward all mankind; so that my soul and all its powers seemed, as it were, to melt into softness and sweetness. But during the communion there was some abatement of this life and fervor. This love and joy cast out fear; and my soul longed for perfect grace and glory. This frame continued til the evening, when my soul was sweetly spiritual in secret duties.,” (from the Diary of David Brainard)
“I felt at the same time an exceeding tenderness and most fervent love toward all mankind; so that my soul and all its powers seemed, as it were, to melt into softness and sweetness. But during the communion there was some abatement of this life and fervor. This love and joy cast out fear; and my soul longed for perfect grace and glory. This frame continued til the evening, when my soul was sweetly spiritual in secret duties.,” (from the Diary of David Brainard)
David Brainard (1718-1747) was born in Connecticut in Colonial America. He was gloomy and sickly as a young boy and remained that way all of his life. But this frail young man had a passion to reach the Native Americans with the Gospel.
David loved to pray and he prayed fervently for his beloved Indians, asking the Lord to save them. He ministered to the Kaunaumek, Crossweeksung, Cranberry, and Delaware Indian tribes.
Just like in the book of Acts, God performed a miracle to confirm the Gospel right before he started his ministry to the Delaware tribe. David was camping outside of the Indian village the night before he planned to enter the camp and preach the Gospel. He was kneeling down praying while Delaware warriors were stealthily encircling him to take his life. With all of the warriors watching, a rattlesnake glided up beside David, raised its head, and flicked his tongue, ready to strike. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the snake glided away. The warriors, shocked, decided that the paleface had favor with the Great Spirit.
What impresses me most about the whole incident is that David was so busy praying that he didn’t notice the warriors and he didn't notice the rattlesnake, but God took care of both!
David loved to pray and he prayed fervently for his beloved Indians, asking the Lord to save them. He ministered to the Kaunaumek, Crossweeksung, Cranberry, and Delaware Indian tribes.
Just like in the book of Acts, God performed a miracle to confirm the Gospel right before he started his ministry to the Delaware tribe. David was camping outside of the Indian village the night before he planned to enter the camp and preach the Gospel. He was kneeling down praying while Delaware warriors were stealthily encircling him to take his life. With all of the warriors watching, a rattlesnake glided up beside David, raised its head, and flicked his tongue, ready to strike. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the snake glided away. The warriors, shocked, decided that the paleface had favor with the Great Spirit.
What impresses me most about the whole incident is that David was so busy praying that he didn’t notice the warriors and he didn't notice the rattlesnake, but God took care of both!
David spent so much time fasting and praying that it affected his health. But, he had an intense hunger for the Presence of God and to please Him. I love David’s heart for Jesus!
David preached the Gospel, baptized new believers, preached, taught, and raised up leaders in the tribes where he ministered. Revival broke out with people repenting, crying out for Jesus, healings, and rejecting idols. David started schools for Indian children, translated portions of Scripture into Native languages, and did everything he could to promote Christ in the hearts and lives of his beloved people.
Jonathan Edwards, the famous Great Awakening preacher, had a huge influence on David’s walk with the Lord and ministry. David was engaged to Jerusha Edwards, but before they could marry, David’s sickness took his life.
I am inspired by David Brainerd's devotion to Christ and want to impact people, like he did, for the glory of God!
May he inspire you too!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
David preached the Gospel, baptized new believers, preached, taught, and raised up leaders in the tribes where he ministered. Revival broke out with people repenting, crying out for Jesus, healings, and rejecting idols. David started schools for Indian children, translated portions of Scripture into Native languages, and did everything he could to promote Christ in the hearts and lives of his beloved people.
Jonathan Edwards, the famous Great Awakening preacher, had a huge influence on David’s walk with the Lord and ministry. David was engaged to Jerusha Edwards, but before they could marry, David’s sickness took his life.
I am inspired by David Brainerd's devotion to Christ and want to impact people, like he did, for the glory of God!
May he inspire you too!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
RSS Feed
