George Mueller was a German-born evangelist who lived in the 19th century and was mostly known for his love and devotion to orphans. He dedicated his life and ministry to providing shelter, food and education for over 10,000 children during his lifetime.
Yesterday morning during my quiet time, I came across a story about him that gave me pause. Mueller was aboard a ship, crossing the Atlantic for an important meeting in Quebec. A dense fog had descended, making it impossible for the vessel to swiftly navigate the waters. The captain had announced that the journey would be delayed due to the weather conditions.
Mueller was not happy about the news. He immediately went up to the bridge and told the captain it was imperative that he arrive in Quebec that Thursday. The captain responded, “that is impossible!” Mueller, however, did not waver. “Very well,” he said. “If you cannot take me, God will. For I have never missed one single engagement in 57 years. Let’s go down to the chart room and pray.” The captain calmly replied, as if talking to a lunatic: “Sir, do you not realize how dense this fog is?” Mueller’s response was resolute. “My eyes are not on the dense fog, Captain, but on the living God, who controls all circumstances of my life.” He knelt down and prayed the simplest prayer the captain had ever heard. After he finished, the captain started praying, but he felt Mueller’s hand on his shoulder. Mueller asked him to stop. The captain looked at him, in dismay. “First of all, sir, you don’t believe God will answer,” he said. “Second, I believe he already has. Get up, Captain, and you will see that the fog is gone.”
And it was. The dense fog had completely disappeared. And Mueller was able to arrive in Quebec in time for his appointment.
This true story challenged my heart. I sat there, looking at my small book of devotionals, thinking about the simplicity of Mueller’s childlike faith.
You see, I believe in the God of the impossible. I do. I believe he can heal the worst of diseases and restore broken lives. I’ve seen it and experienced it.
But when new dark shadows fall upon my life and I find myself calling upon the God of the impossible, I must confess that I don’t always pray with that same type of confidence. The confidence that sees before the eyes can see. The confidence that believes in spite of what the circumstances display.
Should I face the same situation as Mueller’s, I don’t know that I would get up with the firm conviction that I would find clear skies right away. Next day, maybe … God willing?!?
I believe this is a common challenge for the believer. We are taught that, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Indeed, we can’t expect to obtain God’s favor if our hearts waver back and forth between trusting and doubting when we pray. I believe that we cannot truly experience God and the supernatural without the type of faith that believes beyond what our eyes can see.
George Mueller’s story challenged me to believe in God as my children believe in me.
When they are afraid and run to me, their muscles relax as my arms wrap around them. They know I won’t let them go. They know the worst that comes against them has to pass through Mom first. And I am bigger. And in their minds, wiser. Stronger. All they have to say is “Mom, I need you.” And they truly rest in the assurance that I hear and will answer their plea.
{This post was originally published as one of my columns for the Atlanta Journal Constitution}
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Patricia, agree with you that God to us is just like the Mom to her kids.
First step for miracles to happen is to have faith… a strong belief!
Engaging post.
Will sure share the story of George Muller with family members over the dinner tonight!
– Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
http://mocktailmommies.blogspot.in/2017/08/malai-kofta-recipe.html
Hi, Anagha! Thank you so much for stopping by! I love that story too.
Blessings,
Patricia, I needed that story today…probably we all do.
It’s the “faith as small as a mustard seed,” right, Christy? Oh, if only we would continually have that faith!
Love you, sister!
I wonder sometimes why I’m so careful in my prayers, and when I read stories about George Mueller I realize that I don’t have a large enough view of God. Thanks for sharing this one!
Thank you, Michele! So grateful for your faithful participation on Recharge Wednesdays! Love your posts!
Blessings,
What a remarkable story. Thank you for faith-builder!
Thank you, Bethany. I love this story too. Grateful for your participation!
There are definitely instructions in scripture to bring our needs to God, but I think the modern Christian dynamic is to fill our prayers with ONLY the things we want/need God to do for us. Stories like the one you shared are reminders not only to believe God to provide, but to take time to know God through prayer first. I know that George Mueller didn’t only pray for lifted fog or provision for his orphans, but that he’d dedicated his life to first knowing Christ through intimate personal prayer that asks for nothing except to know the Lord and as a response to this ‘knowing’ men and women like Mueller respond with wholehearted service and a commitment follow Him no matter what. It’s this kind of prayer that that lays the solid foundation to ask boldly and then KNOW when He has answered. I’m convinced that until we have the sure footing that comes from passionate pursuit of Jesus for no other reason than to know Him, we’ll continue to be more like the captain than the committed servant of God. Thanks Patricia!
Amen, Karen! George Mueller is only one example among so many great men and women of God whose faith merely reflect the depth of their relationship with the Father. Indeed, it’s only when we seek to know the Father that we find the type of faith that moves his heart.
Grateful for your participation! Blessings,
I am challenged by the profound simplicity and display of faith by Mueller. May I not complicate my faith but continue to believe and allow God to work as only he can.
Stopping by from #coffeeforyourheart linkup.
Amen, Nylse! I’m so grateful for your faithful participation. Have a blessed day!
I read your blog though tears. Tears that flowed because I had just prayed prior to your blog asking God to hear my heart. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and timely post! It truly spoke to my heart.
Isn’t our God just so good, Lureta! Your short testimony blessed my heart. I just love it when God shows up like that, to confirm that He is listening.
Blessings to you!
” The confidence that sees before the eyes can see. The confidence that believes in spite of what the circumstances display..”..I also want to pray this way and believe totally in His purpose and will for my life.
Just stay close to Him, Desiree… and keep His Word close to your heart and mind. He will guide you and reveal the steps you need to take to fulfill His perfect purpose for your life.
So grateful you stopped by!
Blessings, sister.
I believe in the “God of the impossible” too! <3 What a great story!