Life and Diary of David Brainerd - Edwards - V - Part 6

Required reading
Life and Diary of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Part 6.

My summary
We continue to read of Brainerd's work among the Indians, with some preaching on the side to the 'whites'.

One of Edwards' summaries of three weeks would make a good summary of the majority of his experiences for the whole of Part 6: 'The next three weeks after this his illness was not so extreme; he was in some degree capable of business, both public and private; although he had some turns wherein his indisposition prevailed to a great degree. He also in this space had, for the most part, much more inward assistance, and strength of mind. He often expresses great longings for the enlargement of Christ’s kingdom, especially by the conversion of the heathen to God; and speaks of this hope as all his delight and joy. He continues still to express his usual longings after holiness, living to God, and a sense of his own unworthiness. He several times speaks of his appearing to himself the vilest creature on earth; and once says, that he verily thought there were none of God’s children who fell so far short of that holiness and perfection in their obedience which God requires, as he. He speaks of his feeling more dead than ever to the enjoyments of the world. He sometimes mentions the special assistance he had, this space of time, in preaching to the Indians, and of appearances of religious concern among them. He speaks also of assistance in prayer for absent friends, and especially ministers and candidates for the ministry; and of much comfort he enjoyed in the company of some ministers who came to visit him.'

And Brainerd does see some results: 'Here God gave me great assistance in addressing sinners: and the word was attended with amazing power; many scores, if not hundreds, in that great assembly, consisting of three or four thousand, were much affected; so that there was a ‘very great mourning, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon.’'

What grabbed me
I was encouraged by the honesty of Brainerd's reaction to not seeing a response to his preaching: 'Preached again to them in the afternoon; and observed the Indians were more sober than before: but still saw nothing special among them; from whence Satan took occasion to tempt and buffet me with these cursed suggestions, There is no God, or if there be, he is not able to convert the Indians before they have more knowledge, &c. I was very weak and weary, and my soul borne down with perplexity; but was mortified to all the world, and was determined still to wait upon God for the conversion of the heathen, though the devil tempted me to the contrary.'

I think one of the hardest things I've had to experience as a minister is to see no response after I have preached, particularly after major prayer and effort.

But we cannot listen to Satan's lies about God's existence and his sovereignty.  God has his reasons for not bringing the growth and we must be like Brainerd and simply trust God and continue to serve him as faithfully as we can.

Next week's reading
Read Part 7.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.