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. Click To TweetGeorge 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.
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I read Mueller’s biography to my kids several years ago, and we were just in awe of his faith and of the many ways God came through for Him. Thinking about it today reminds me that I need to be more vulnerable in that way. I think we all work pretty hard to keep ourselves from situations that truly require God’s intervention!
Wow. Your last comment hit home! So true! I often find myself asking God for a miracle and then “working” to make it happen myself. I certainly have much to learn from these giants of faith! Thanks for always contributing to this linkup, Michele. 🙂
Blessings,
I have a biography of George Mueller on my book shelf in plain view. I had not ever heard this story and it is beautiful! I am grateful you shared it today as I want my faith to grow further so that I trust God for His intervention in all things. Blessings!
I also love to be challenged by the stories of these great men of faith! Thanks for stopping by, Joanne!
“I believe in the God of the impossible.” Thank you, Patricia! What a great reminder for all of us.
Thank YOU, Lisa! I appreciate you participating! Have a blessed day,
Beautifully said, Patricia. And powerful story about George Mueller. “My eyes are not on the dense fog, Captain, but on the living God, who controls all circumstances of my life.” Oh, may we take his example in praying AND believing.
Amen, Karen. That was my favorite sentence on the entire story! I want so desperately to never keep my eyes on life’s dense fogs!
Blessings to you, sister!
Childlike faith! Help us Jesus! Thanks for this post, Patricia. Blessings to you.
Thank you so much, Boma! May God indeed help us develop that type of blind, unwavering faith! Blessings to you!
I am not George Mueller but I wrote something in a similar vein this week. Pray simply profoundly with faith. Thanks for confirming what God placed on my heart.
Amen, Nylse! God often does that.
Grateful for your participation!
I have hear the story of the children with no breakfast and it appearing outside the door, a bakery or milk mishap, I don’t recall. This would be a good biography. For years, I tried to have great faith, speaking everything from healing to finances and often it got worse, the enemy already knew I had faith, and it should be simple, why do we try to fix it?
There are so many facets of answers to faith-filled prayers, Rebecca. We often think it all depends on God, but it also has to do on how our hearts are aligned at the time we pray. Are we living in obedience? Is it the right timing? Is God trying to teach us and mold our character through the trial?
God is a good God and does not withhold the answers to our prayers, but there are times when we don’t get the answer we want, but that does not necessarily mean our faith is weak.
Thank you for commenting. Be Blessed!
What a wonderful lesson we can all learn here: “George Mueller’s story challenged me to believe in God as my children believe in me.” Thanks, Patricia!
Thanks, Lisa! Grateful to have you here again! Blessings, sister!
Great encouragement on prayer! laurensparks.net
That was so encouraging today!Thank you Patricia! What faith!
Remember you’re always welcome to drop by for a cuppa,
Jennifer