David Brainerd: Missionary to the Native Americans

David Brainerd

In the year of 1718, David Brainerd was born to Hezekiah and Dorothy Brainerd.  When David was only nine, his father passed away.  Five years later, his mother and many of his siblings followed him in death.  When David turned 21, he gave his life to the Lord.  David went to Yale (which was a very good school) to become a pastor (In those days, you had to graduate from a major school in order to become a pastor).  After about three years, he got expelled for speaking rudely about one of the teachers.    He tried to re-enter many times but they would not accept him.  David got tuberculosis and God knew that he was only going to live for 6 more years.  He had different plans for David.  He made a lot more happen in 6 years than ever would have happened if David had not gotten expelled from Yale.  God wanted David to reach out to the Indians.  David started a school for Indians and he preached to the Indians along the Delaware River.  He stayed there for about a year and then he moved to New Jersey to preach to the Indians there for another year until he got too sick to stay there.  In that period of time, more than 103 Indians converted to Christianity.  He went back home before he died.  David’s last words were, “Now that I am dying, I declare that I would not have spent my life otherwise.”  His brother John carried on David’s work until his own death 34 years later (John also went to Yale to become a pastor and he graduated and became a pastor.) 

     Many missionaries after him were greatly influenced and inspired by his life.  Hudson Taylor, David Livingstone, William Carey, John Wesley, and Andrew Murray all make mention of David Brainerd as a man who greatly impacted them to be missionaries.

Some Quotes from David Brainerd:

"I love to live on the brink of eternity. May I never loiter on my heavenly journey."

"I want to wear out my life in His service and for His glory."

                                 Challenge of the Week

This week, think of a time that things didn't go the way that you wanted them to.  Looking back at it, do you see where God was working in that situation and how he used it your life or someone else's for good?  The bible says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." ~Proverbs 19:21  Take time to thank God that things don't always go your way.