It's All Worth It
David Brainerd shares his personal experience of longing for conformity to God, finding comfort in meditation on Enoch's walk with God, and cultivating patience and cheerfulness in trials.
David Brainerd reflects on a morning filled with longing desires for God's conformity, experiencing sweet quickening in secret prayer, and offering praises amidst inward trials. His heart ascribes glory to God and welcomes further distress if it serves God's purpose, with a deep sense of the brevity of time and the nearness of eternity. Brainerd finds strength to rise above worldly distractions and disappointments, meditating on Enoch's walk with God and finding comfort in the day's experiences.
Text
"... and we beheld his glory ... full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
Monday March 7. This morning when I arose, I found my heart go forth after God in longing desires of conformity to Him, and in secret prayer found myself sweetly quickened and drawn out in praises to God for all He had done to and for me, and for all my inward trials and distresses of late. My heart ascribed glory, glory, glory to the blessed God! and bid welcome to all inward distress again, if God saw meet to exercise me with it. Time appeared but an inch long, and eternity at hand. I thought I could with patience and cheerfulness bear anything for the cause of God; for I saw that a moment would bring me to a world of peace and blessedness.
My soul, by the strength of the Lord, rose far above this lower world, and all the vain amusements and frightful disappointments of it. Afterwards, had some sweet meditation on Genesis 5:24, "And Enoch walked with God." This was a comfortable day to my soul.
Sermon Outline
- Longing for Conformity to God
- Renewed Perspective on Time and Eternity
- Patience and Cheerfulness in Trials
- Meditation on Enoch's Walk with God
- Comfort in spiritual companionship
- Inspiration for spiritual growth
Key Quotes
“My heart ascribed glory, glory, glory to the blessed God! and bid welcome to all inward distress again, if God saw meet to exercise me with it.” — David Brainerd
“Time appeared but an inch long, and eternity at hand.” — David Brainerd
“My soul, by the strength of the Lord, rose far above this lower world, and all the vain amusements and frightful disappointments of it.” — David Brainerd
Application Points
- Prioritize spiritual growth by focusing on secret prayer and praise.
- Maintain patience and cheerfulness in trials by trusting in God's strength and guidance.
- Recognize the brevity of time and the nearness of eternity to prioritize what truly matters.