David’s Response to Trials

Intro

Adoniram Judson a Baptist missionary to Burma has a story of loss that is overwhelming. Judson’s story is filled with tales of sickness, false imprisonment, and the deaths of countless friends and family. Judson’s life was defined by his unique response to suffering that was grounded in his belief in the providence of God. In 1823 the First Anglo-Burmese war had begun. With the British invading on Burma, Judson as a westerner was seen as a spy and imprisoned. In this military prison the prisoners were strung up by their feet from bamboo poles to sleep upside down. In Andersons The Golden Shore, Judson spoke this to one of his prison mates:

Here I have been ten years preaching the gospel to timid listeners who wish to embrace the truth but do not dare … now when all human means seem at an end, God opens the way by leading a Christian nation to subdue the country. It is possible that my life will be spared; if so, with what passion shall I pursue my work! If not – (let) his will be done. The door will be opened for others who would do the work better.

Judson, amid the challenges and uncertainty in his life relied on the strength and peace that is found in the presence of the Lord