DAVID LIVINGSTONE, the great explorer and missionary, traveled through the jungles and swamps and over lakes and rivers of Africa, long before there were any roads or trains in that vast continent. He was naturally a brave man but the real secret of his boldness and courage lay in the fact that He was a true Christian, he had Christ as his Saviour, and his strength was in God. The Bible says, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Prov. 28:11The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1).
One day he had gone off with some of the natives to hunt for lions which had been prowling around the village killing the cattle and frightening the women and children. After a long search the lions were almost cornered, but then they broke through and finally escaped. Returning home Livingstone caught sight of one of the lions on a little hill not far away and fired at the great beast. The animal was only wounded and while Livingstone was reloading his gun for a send shot, he heard a roar and saw the fierce creature getting ready to spring. Before he could move or run the king of beasts was upon him, and knocked him over.
Livingstone thought nothing could save him. The big lion growled horribly close to his ear, and taking his shoulder in his great jaws he shook the missionary like a terrier dog does a rat. The pain, the fear and the shock made Livingstone half senseless, and he felt he was going to die. But God was watching over His servant, for He had much work yet for him to do. All at once the lion disappeared. One of the natives coming up frightened it. The lion turned to attack his’ send enemy who shot it dead.
With what gratitude must Livingstone have poured out his thanks to God for sparing him from the awful lion. But he was never able to use his left arm as before. One day, years later, as he stood before some university students in his homeland, he tried to raise his arm as he told them of how God had saved him from the lion’s mouth. He asked those young men if there were any present who would help him carry the gospel of God’s love to the men and women and little children of Africa. Livingstone knew that Africa had worse things than lions to fight, for there were sin and shame and slavery in Africa and from these he knew only Jesus could save.
Not only in Africa but in this favored land are sin and shame and slavery to Satan found. Every boy or girl, every man or woman, who is outside of Christ, who is not redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus, whether one knows it or not, is a slave to self-will, to sin and Satan. Jesus alone can break those chains of sin, can deliver from its awful guilt and power. To remain out of Christ is to be eternally lost; to come and own Him as Saviour is to be saved forever.
Dear reader, which shall it be with you?
He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the captive free;
His blood can wash the vilest clean,
His blood avails for me.
ML-06/02/1963