October 8, 2025

God will either give you what you ask or something far better. 

Robert Murray McCheyne 

In their book The Culture Shift, Robert Lewis and Wayne Cordeiro recount a story about the Great missionary David Livingstone. Let’s use our time together to consider their words in light of our theme of blessing.  

The great missionary explorer, David Livingstone, served in Africa from 1840 until his death in 1873. Pastors Robert Lewis and Wayne Cordeiro tell of an incident from Livingstone’s life that illustrates why we need to be thankful in all things and use what God has given us for His glory. 

David Livingstone was eager to travel into the uncharted lands of Central Africa to preach the Gospel. On one occasion, the famous nineteenth-century missionary and explorer arrived at the edge of a large territory that was ruled by a tribal chieftain. According to tradition, the chief would come out to meet him there. Livingstone could go forward on the land only after an exchange of gifts was made. The chief would choose any item of Livingstone’s personal property that caught his fancy and keep it for himself, while giving the missionary something of his own in return. 

Livingstone had few possessions with him, but at their encounter, he obediently spread them all out on the ground including his clothes, his books, his watch, and even the goat that provided him with milk. Chronic stomach problems kept Livingston from drinking the local water. To his dismay, the chief took this important, valuable goat. In return, the chief gave him a carved stick, shaped like a walking stick. 

Livingstone was most disappointed. He began to gripe to God about what he viewed as a stupid walking cane. What could it do for him compared to the goat that kept him well? Then one of the local men explained, “That’s not a walking cane Mr. Livingstone. It’s the king’s very own scepter, and with it you will find entrance to every single village in our country. The king has honored you greatly.” 

The man was right. With that scepter, the fragrance of the king was on David Livingston’s life. The scepter showed he had been with the king and was honored and approved by him. God opened the door to Central Africa to Livingstone, and as successive evangelists followed him, wave after wave of people came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Lord took away what Livingstone treasured and replaced it with something that was more valuable, even though David did not realize it at first. 

Beloved, as the fragrance of Christ is upon our life, the Lord will open doors to serve Him. What we might consider a loss could actually become a blessing. God will replace our losses with His blessings. He will powerfully provide for us the needs that we have in order to serve Him just like He provided Livingston with the scepter of the king.  

(from The Culture Shift, Robert Lewis and Wayne Cordeiro) 

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations
(Psalms 67:1-2) 

Questions for reflection and discussion:   

  • What blessings has God provided in your life? 
  • How have those blessing opened up new opportunities to share His love with others? 
  • What are you doing today to make His way known among the nations? 

Church Reading Plan: 1 Kings 11; Philippians 2