David Brainerd Quotes

Powerful David Brainerd for Daily Growth

About David Brainerd

David Brainerd (1718-1747), an influential American evangelist and missionary, was born on April 20, 1718, in Haddam, Connecticut. Raised in a religiously devout family, Brainerd's spiritual life was marked by deep introspection and fervor from an early age. He attended Yale College at the age of seventeen but did not graduate due to health issues and a growing sense of religious calling. In 1740, he embarked on a mission to evangelize Native Americans in the New York and Pennsylvania areas under the auspices of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. His work among the Lenape and other tribes was remarkable, as he learned their languages and lived among them, seeking to understand and share the Christian faith. Brainerd's health declined dramatically during this time, leading him to return home in 1746. He spent his final year dictating his experiences and reflections, now compiled in Jonathan Edwards' famous work, "The Life of David Brainerd." Brainerd's life and writings continue to influence evangelical Christianity, particularly due to his commitment to cross-cultural ministry, humility, and a profound sense of God's presence. His diary, which forms the basis of Edwards' biography, offers insights into Brainerd's spiritual struggles and triumphs, as well as his deep compassion for the people he served. Despite his tragically short life, David Brainerd's legacy endures as a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and the transformative potential of Christian ministry. His profound influence on figures like Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening movement underscores his lasting impact on American religious history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior."

This quote expresses the deep awareness and honest confession of personal sinfulness by David Brainerd, while also affirming his faith in Jesus Christ as an all-powerful Savior capable of redeeming even the greatest sinners. It underscores the belief that no matter how profound our transgressions may seem, there is always hope and redemption through the infinite grace and mercy offered by Jesus Christ.

"The greatest happiness that man is capable of feeling is a sense of the love of God."

This quote by David Brainerd emphasizes that human beings experience the highest level of joy, contentment, or satisfaction when they feel deeply the love of God. In other words, it suggests that the deepest fulfillment people can attain is through an emotional connection to God's love, which transcends earthly pleasures and material possessions. The quote underscores the belief that spiritual relationships and emotions offer a unique dimension of happiness that enriches human existence.

"When I was alone, I wept over my sins and groaned under a load of guilt, and had such a distressing apprehension of wrath to come, that, for whole hours together, I could not speak a word; so deep was the sense of my wretchedness."

David Brainerd expresses deep remorse and guilt over his sins in this quote. He experienced such intense feelings of wrongdoing that it left him almost speechless, overwhelmed by the weight of his misdeeds and the impending wrath he felt was coming as a result. This passage illustrates a profound sense of self-awareness and a deep understanding of the consequences of sin in Brainerd's religious beliefs.

"If any man be ever so vile, he may be saved; yea, more than ever so vile, if God have appointed it."

This quote by David Brainerd emphasizes that no one is beyond the reach of salvation if it has been willed by God. It suggests a belief in divine mercy and grace being available to all individuals regardless of their sins or moral depravity, as long as God intends it so. The quote offers hope for redemption to those who feel they are unworthy or beyond forgiveness, reminding them that the power of salvation lies not in human worthiness but in divine will.

"God has made it exceedingly comfortable to me to wait for him in this world, that I have no doubt but I shall meet with him in the other."

The quote suggests that David Brainerd found peace and comfort in his faith during his earthly life, knowing that he would ultimately reunite with God in the afterlife. This perspective allowed him to patiently endure the trials of this world, confident in the promise of eternal union with God.

I bless God for this retirement: I never was more thankful for any thing than I have been of late for the necessity I am under of self-denial in many respects.

- David Brainerd

Thankful, Been, Self-Denial, Many Respects

My disorder has been attended with several symptoms of a consumption; and I have been at times apprehensive that my great change was at hand: yet blessed be God, I have never been affrighted; but, on the contrary, at times much delighted with a view of its approach.

- David Brainerd

Been, Approach, Several, Consumption

We should always look upon ourselves as God's servants, placed in God's world, to do his work; and accordingly labour faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.

- David Brainerd

God, Always, Accordingly, Glorify

Ardent love or desire introduced, as passionately longing to please and glorify the Divine Being, to be in every respect conformed to him, and in that way to enjoy him.

- David Brainerd

Love, Desire, Ardent, Glorify

As the most extravagant errors were received among the established articles of their faith, so the most infamous vices obtained in their practice, and were indulged not only with impunity, but authorized by the sanction of their laws.

- David Brainerd

Infamous, Laws, Established, Vices

I have withstood the power of convictions a long time; and therefore I fear I shall be finally left of God.

- David Brainerd

Long, Finally, Shall, Convictions

I have a secret thought from some things I have observed, that God may perhaps design you for some singular service in the world.

- David Brainerd

Thought, Some, May, Observed

A few of the sublimest geniuses of Rome and Athens had some faint discoveries of the spiritual nature of the human soul, and formed some probable conjectures, that man was designed for a future state of existence.

- David Brainerd

Nature, Rome, Some, Faint

Further, Take heed that you faithfully perform the business you have to do in the world, from a regard to the commands of God; and not from an ambitious desire of being esteemed better than others.

- David Brainerd

Business, Desire, Faithfully, Esteemed

First, Resolve upon, and daily endeavour to practise, a life of seriousness and strict sobriety.

- David Brainerd

Sobriety, Resolve, Practise, Strict

Worldly pleasures, such as flow from greatness, riches, honours, and sensual gratifications, are infinitely worse than none.

- David Brainerd

Sensual, Infinitely, None, Flow

The whole world appears to me like a huge vacuum, a vast empty space, whence nothing desirable, or at least satisfactory, can possibly be derived; and I long daily to die more and more to it; even though I obtain not that comfort from spiritual things which I earnestly desire.

- David Brainerd

Die, Least, Whole, Earnestly

I board with a poor Scotchman: his wife can talk scarce any English.

- David Brainerd

Wife, Poor, His, Board

I fear God never showed mercy to one so vile as I.

- David Brainerd

Never, Fear God, Vile, Mercy

I am an old sinner; and if God had designed mercy for me, he would have called me home to himself before now.

- David Brainerd

Old, Before, Had, Mercy

Oh, how precious is time, and how it pains me to see it slide away, while I do so little to any good purpose.

- David Brainerd

Purpose, Precious, Away, Slide

The all-seeing eye of God beheld our deplorable state; infinite pity touched the heart of the Father of mercies; and infinite wisdom laid the plan of our recovery.

- David Brainerd

Moving On, Touched, Laid, Deplorable

As to my success here I cannot say much as yet: the Indians seem generally kind, and well-disposed towards me, and are mostly very attentive to my instructions, and seem willing to be taught further.

- David Brainerd

Here, Instructions, Very, Attentive

I am more weary of life, I think, than ever I was.

- David Brainerd

Think, I Think, Ever, Weary

Once more, Never think that you can live to God by your own power or strength; but always look to and rely on him for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace.

- David Brainerd

Strength, Think, Always, Assistance

Again, Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time.

- David Brainerd

Precious, Be Careful, Again, Precious Time

When you cease from labour, fill up your time in reading, meditation, and prayer: and while your hands are labouring, let your heart be employed, as much as possible, in divine thoughts.

- David Brainerd

Thoughts, Hands, Labouring, Meditation

We are a long time in learning that all our strength and salvation is in God.

- David Brainerd

Strength, Faith, Salvation, Long Time

If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not from the world.

- David Brainerd

Happiness, God, World, Hope

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