Don't Worry 12/20-21

Philippians 4:6, NLT "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

Inspiration: This verse came from the booklet, God's promises for every day. What to do when you are in doubt about yourself. I was reading the book, Heaven's Heroes on the part about Adoniram Judson (1788-1850). Judson dedicated his life to the Lord and to world missions. In 1812, Judson and his new wife, Nancy, boarded ship as the first American missionaries. 

They first came ashore in India, but circumstances lead them toward Burma. Landing in Rangoon, they met and teamed with William Carey's son Felix to reach the Burmese with the gospel. Often they study 12 hours a day to learn Burmese's language.  

Then the war broke out between Burma and England, the Burmese government  suspected all foreigners as spies and sentenced them all to a Burmese death prison. Staying in a prison over a year with no exercise and little food, they were forced to march out to different place. Several died on the way when it became too much for them to travel. Judson survived the journey. Sorrows came upon Judson when he lost his wife and two children. His second wife, died. 

Judson went into a time of deep discouragement, then the new power of the Holy Spirit surged through Judson and  he was refreshed to continue his preaching. In 1840, 28 years after landing in Burma, Judson completed his translation of the Burmese Bible and sent it to the press.

Judson went to America to speak. Judson met and married Emily who returned with him to Burma. Emily was a gifted writer and she helped him complete a Burmese dictionary in 1849. Despite the illness and death of family members, Judson held to his faith in God. He never lost sight of his vision to evangelize Burma. 

As he stood against great odds, he was able to say, "The prospects are as bright as the promises of God." He left a valuable contribution to Burma: a Bible and a dictionary.  This story of Judson as a missionary, faced the odds and still held on to his faith in God, this really touched my heart.

This was where God's promises quoted, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your heart and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7 NLT. 

SONG: WONDERFUL PEACE
Peace! peace! wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
(W. D. Corell, Sing His Praise)