Daily Devotion

“This lively hope of China's speedy deliverance from the thraldom of Satan by the hand of our great Lord, Jesus Christ … constantly prompts me to action, and makes me willing rather to perish in the attempt of carrying the gospel to China, than to wait quietly on the frontiers, deterred by the numerous obstacles which seem to forbid an entrance into the country. … Yet still I am not ignorant of my own nothingness, nor of the formidable obstacles which, on every side, shut up the way and impede our progress; and I can only say, "Lord, here I am, use me according to thy holy pleasure."”

Karl Gützlaff · Journal of Three Voyages along the Coast of China (1834), pp. 124–125

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by our eyes.

Reflection

Karl Gützlaff was willing rather to perish in the attempt of carrying the gospel to China than to wait quietly on the frontiers, not because he saw a chance of victory, but because he heard the call of his mission. "By faith, not by sight" means remaining certain of God's sovereignty even during the long process when the outcome is unclear, or when misunderstandings and setbacks are encountered. We often seek God's will in favorable circumstances, yet doubt His absence when we are lost. However, true faith is often born in the darkness where the "end is not seen." Reflecting on ourselves, have we, unlike Gützlaff, hesitated outside the door of our mission out of fear of unknown risks?