Today & Missionary Series – Part 2

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Adoniram Judson (1788-1850)

Judson was a Baptist missionary who became the first North American Protestant missionary in Burma (Myanmar). Like other early missionaries, he was involved in translation work and church planting. He went to the field of India as a Congregationalist but, after much study of the Bible, became convinced that Baptist doctrine was more biblical. He married his fiancé Ann and the couple was baptized by William Carey. Because of anti-Western sentiment in India, he moved to Burma. The move took 3 years through sickness, toil and famine.  It took him 12 years to see his first 18 converts.

“In joy or in pain, Our course be onward still; We sow on Burma’s barren plain; We reap on Zion’s hill”. – Adoniram Judson, 1819

Later, in 1822, Ann was forced to return to America for medical support, lest facing death. Adoniram insisted on traveling this journey with his treasured wife and companion. He did not want Ann to face the two-year journey alone, ill, and at sea. However, Ann refused to let their very fragile church be left alone in Burma. She was persistent in her petitions to go without him. Adoniram relented, staying at their home and church in Rangoon, Burma. During the time of separation, Adoniram finished the translation of the New Testament into Burmese, as well as vital parts of the Old Testament. This was a massive victory for the Gospel to reach the Burmese.

The couple both sacrificed greatly for this. There was tremendous agony to the unknown of one another’s well-being while being all alone on the treacherous path of travel and missions. This sacrifice was not in vain, the translation of the Bible proved to be a crucial aspect to the Judson ministry, but all the more crucial as it was for the salvation of the Burmese people.

It was 1824, and the Burmese and British were at war. Adoniram, a suspected spy, was sentenced to long, painful torture in prison. For nearly two years, Adoniram would face horror and near death, merely staying alive by the goodness of God. Simultaneously, his wife petitioned relentlessly for his freedom, for his rights, and for the truth. She brought him food and water, living in a shelter right near to the death prison, while also breastfeeding the couple’s newborn daughter, Maria.

Ann kept their infant alive and went to the death prison every day to feed her husband. Ann would argue with and bribe the prison guards, to assure that Adoniram would receive his small bit of nourishment. All the while, he was bound in fetters, deathly ill, and chained to a large camp with another 100 or so dying, naked prisoners. They were starving, facing disease, suffocating in the stench of decomposing flesh, and dying in the putrid living conditions.

The prisoner writes:

“‘The breadth and length and depth and height of the love of Christ’! If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.”  – Adoniram Judson

By the grace of God, Adoniram survived through the time of war in prison. He was led back to Ann, who was so sick, she seemed to be creeping on the doorstep of death. Having Adoniram back in her life brought her soul enough hope to carry on. The wife and mother shockingly regained enough health to travel to safety. Relocating from the capital was the safest option for the family, so they began ministry in the jungle with the Karen tribe of Burma.

Shortly after, however, survival did not meet Ann so graciously again. Mrs. Judson had been warring foreign disease, fighting for her husband and daughter’s lives, and for the Burmese mission. War, disease, and her husband’s imprisonment had taken its toll. On October 24th, 1826, Ann passed away. Her husband was left devasted. Adoniram was optimistic to still have his daughter Maria. Tragically to him, she died a few months after her mother. He dug both of their graves himself, in Amherst, Burma.

A storm was brewing in Adoniram’s soul. He was grief-stricken and devasted. He had lost everything. What he did next is something to remark at. Secluding himself in a tiger infested jungle is what Adoniram did, the man isolated himself and withdrew from all people. Adoniram solely sought the Lord, bringing along, large existential questions. He pondered and sought his own purpose, the will of God, and other human realities, such as death. Adoniram was looking for answers that only God could provide.

Judson records during his time.

“It proves a stormy evening, and the desolation around me accords with the desolate state of my own mind, where grief for the dear departed combines with sorrow for present sin; and my tears flow at the same time over the forsaken grave of my dear love and over the loathsome sepulchre of my own heart.”

No Burman thought he would live through the treacherous, tiger-infested jungle. His return was a miracle to all the Burman people, his life a testimony to the protection God offers. All were almost certain that the tigers would have devoured Adoniram. He not only overcame depression, isolation, and grief with the Lord but also the very real danger of tigers in the jungle. His ministry continued on.

Today

There is a Christian music singer who challenges in his music for us/you  to,  “go out and live like you know you have been given forgiveness,  and healing and love everlasting, go out in love! go out in love!” He says. Another gospel singer sets high goals for today, “Today we goin', Help somebody Heal somebody (We goin') Free somebody (Yeah) Forgive somebody (Today we goin')Touch somebody Love somebody (We goin') Catch somebody Let go of somebody.

What a way to go out every day when you get up in the morning!  What is your attitude toward today when you get up? Attitude of victory? Attitude of complaining? When you go through your day are you sure that you're walking in victory as long as you're with the Lord?

Let's not be those sorts of people who are overcome by worry stress of what is going on. Do you know you are more than a conqueror? Do you know you have the victory if you do not give up? You are just having to walk through the process! So, walk through the process well!

Matthew 6:31-34

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Despite the journey being very difficult, despite what you find yourself walking through being extremely challenging and basically believing in the unbelievable; you have to live today like your life has been planned by an Everlasting King who still remains in control and has the best for you to come.

Another Preacher was bringing up about how much control we have lost through the pandemic or rather how much you realise you never had any control. He encouraged us to take this time to be still and know He is God, ain't nothing changed.

The preacher said he has been unable to go anywhere due to Covid and so he has said that he has started enjoying other things now as he cannot travel. On his evening walks he notices flowers and birds in his local park more than he ever did and it gives him fresh awe in all of creation.

It starts with a step, it starts with a spark, then God will take you to a place where you can run, He will funnel the flame of your heart. Enjoy whatever today has. However little take today with thanksgiving.

Paul is also one of your go to people here, despite being imprisoned he continued to live in victory. Without his making the best of his imprisonment we would not have so many of the gospels. Remember, that the gospels were not written by somebody who was living wild and free. They were written by a man in gaol to encourage us!

Philippians 1: 3-6; 12-14

I thank my God every time I remember you. Always in my every prayer for all of you I pray with joy because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.  For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

If there is one thing that is clear in these verses (not to mention the rest of the book), it is that Paul is happy and joyful. So beloved, Live today in thanksgiving. The best is yet to come!

~ Tad in Austrailia