Stretched For The Glory Of God

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness and because of Thy truth" Psalm 115.1.John MacArthur writes in his book, Our Awesome God, David Brainerd was a missionary who yearned for the salvation of Native Americans scattered along the colonial trails and farther west. From 1742 to 1747 he toiled among the tribes in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Initially there was little to encourage him and he seriously considered abandoning his labors among them altogether. But in time the situation reversed itself, and scores of Native Americans came to know Christ. Brainerd's poor health, however, eventually forced him to abandon his missionary efforts, and at age 29 he died.He spent his last days in the home of his celebrated friend, Jonathan Edwards and left his diary with him for publication. That volume has had an untold impact on the lives of many because it reveals Brainerd's devotion, earnestness, sincerity, and self-denying spirit.These are some of the last entries Brainerd made:“This day, I saw clearly that I should never be happy, yea, that God Himself could not make me happy, unless I could be in a capacity to ‘please and glorify Him forever.’ Take away this and admit me into all the fine havens that can be conceived of by men or angels, and I should still be miserable forever….Oh, to love and praise God more, to please Him forever! This my soul panted after and even now pants for while I write. Oh, that God might be glorified in the whole earth! …(The Life and Diary of David Brainerd, edited by Jonathan Edwards [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989], pp. 357-67)Our purpose in life is not to live for ourselves, but to radiate the glory of God.Paul instructs us in 1 Corinthians 10.31, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." We are to have a passionate desire to do all we can so that God receives the glory He deserves.To help us toward this goal, we need to think through questions like these:Is God the focal point of my life, or do I gravitate toward self-indulgence and self-glorification?When I have free time or idle-time, do I dwell on the things of God or do self-interests and personal pleasures occupy my thoughts?Am I perpetually grateful thanking God numerous times throughout the day, or do I spend more time grumbling to myself and justifying my behavior because of my circumstances?Have I become distracted from God-centered living because of pride, greed, selfishness or materialism?My prayer is that your life and mine would be a delight to the Master and not a disaster. Moreover, that we are glorifying God with our life, and He’s not ashamed of what He sees in us when no one else is lookingPastor Keith FeiselZion Countryside Church

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