A Great Missionary's Self-Effacement
Jeremiah 45:5
And seek you great things for yourself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh, said the LORD…


When Stanley found Livingstone in the heart of Africa, he begged the old heroic missionary to go home. There seemed to be many reasons why he should go back to England. His wife was dead; his children lived in England; the weight of years was pressing upon him, and the shortest march wearied him. He was often compelled to halt many days to recover strength after his frequent attacks of prostrating illness. Moreover, he was destitute of men and means to enable him to make much practical progress. But like the great apostle to the Gentiles, none of these things moved him, nor counted he his life dear to himself. "No, no," he said to Stanley; "to be knighted, as you say, by the Queen, welcomed by thousands of missionary enthusiasts, yes — but impossible. It must not, cannot, will not be. I must finish my task, and do what I can to bring Africa to Christ."



Parallel Verses
KJV: And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

WEB: Do you seek great things for yourself? Don't seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh, says Yahweh; but your life will I give to you for a prey in all places where you go.




A Dissuasive from Ambition
Top of Page
Top of Page