In yesterday’s devotion I spent a lot of time talking about the great 19th century British missionary and explorer to the continent of Africa, David Livingstone. If you would like to read more about this incredible man please see my devotion from December 10, 2021.1
In today’s devotion I have assembled some of his priceless quotes about being a missionary, being in the will of God, and the importance of Christian service. If only we could be as sold out for the Lord as he was, we could turn the world upside down for Jesus. I pray you take time to read these quotes slowly and let them speak to your very soul.2
“I’d rather be in the heart of Africa in the will of God, than on the throne of England, out of the will of God.”
“God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours.”
“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 there is no road at all.”
“There is one safe and happy place, and that is in the will of God.”
“Shall I tell you what supported me through all those years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand and whose attitude towards me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’”
“Christ alone can save the world, but Christ cannot save the world alone.”
“And although I see few results, future missionaries will see conversions following every sermon. May they not forget the pioneers who worked in the thick gloom with few rays to cheer, except such as flow from faith in the precious promises of God’s Word.”
“The best remedy for a sick church is to put it on a missionary diet.”
“Sympathy is no substitute for action.”
“Do not think me mad. It is not to make money that I believe a Christian should live. The noblest thing a man can do is, just humbly to receive, and then go amongst others and give.”
“I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which he made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.”
“There is a Ruler above, and His Providence guides all things. He is our Friend and has plenty of work for all His people to do. It is such a blessing and a privilege to be led into His work instead of into the service of the hard taskmasters – the Devil and sin.”
“If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?”
“I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.”
“If you knew the satisfaction of performing such a duty, as well as the gratitude to God which the missionary must always feel, in being chosen for so noble, so sacred a calling, you would have no hesitation in embracing it.”
“All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book.”
1 David Livingstone – Missionary To Africa – Bible Apologetics – A DAILY DEVOTIONAL
2 All of these quotes from David Livingstone are from the following website:
TOP 25 QUOTES BY DAVID LIVINGSTONE (of 64) | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)