David Livingston was a missionary to Africa in the 1800’s. He was also considered to be a prominent explorer and is created with doing much through his writings to end the slave trade in Africa. His moral standing among all the Africans was great and even the slave traders provided him assistance when they could. [1]
The slaver traders used brutal tactics to sow terror in the villagers. An example of this was at Nyangwe on July 15, 1871 when the slavers killed 350 to 400 villagers. Livingstone’s description of that day was that it was like being in hell and the only thing he could do was to pray “O, let Thy kingdom come.” [2] Events like this occur to frequently in our world. In previous blogs we have noted several which have involved millions killed by governments and which have occurred within the past 100 years. Anyone with any compassion asks why God does not end it all; why God does not establish his kingdom on this earth immediately.
However God must have other plans. It might be that: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9-10) ESV. But still, because of events like these, our belief in an all-powerful, compassionate God is challenged.
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[1] Alan Moorehead. The White Nile. New York: Harper & Row, 1960, p. 99.
[2] Ib id., p. 107-109.
