See what God can do when He is central to your Christian mission.
As a child living in Bristol, England in 1835 the outlook was incredibly bleak, with a worsening cholera epidemic — tearing families apart.
Starving children in increasing numbers were being forced onto the streets to fend for themselves, by turning to a life of crime or becoming child labourers in workhouses a prospect not much better, either way — the outlook on the future was short-sighted and void of any hope.
A young pastor George Müller from Germany together with his wife Mary compelled to help and having received as confirmation, Psalm 81 verse 10.
‘Open wide your mouth and I will fill it’
Step of Faith.
Took the step of faith and opened a Children’s Home, his primary objective was not the welfare of the children, however, but that:
“God should be seen to be providing all needs as a result of prayer and faith, without anyone being asked or approached. “
Results through Faith.
Over the next 60 years, the work grew to an orphanage housing up to 2050 children, and over time 10,000 boys and girls were cared for.
The children were well educated and such was the standard of the education being provided that there were complaints that the children were being educated above their status (very different times), and factories were losing potential labourers.
All children were well fed and clothed and all of this was done without making appeals for money but simply praying to God for all that was needed.
George having kept detailed financial records shows the orphanage received £1,500,000 in donations and gifts in kind through the generosity of others which would be the equivalent of £100m in today’s value.
Results of Prayer and Faith.
- Over the next 60 years, the work grew to an orphanage housing 2050 children.
- Over 10,000 Boys and Girls were cared for.
- All children were well educated, fed, and clothed.
- £1,500,000 in donations and gifts in kind were received which would be the equivalent of £100m in today’s value.
“All was received through the generosity of others of their own volition in response to prayer.”
Through Great Trial comes Great Faith.
Looking back over the results in this way certainly paints a rosy picture but Müller and his staff often endured great trials, through which their faith and patience were tested.
Müller recounts one such occasion when they were completely out of food and all the children were at their tables ready to eat breakfast. George confident that God would not fail gave thanks to the Lord for His provision of food — with all the children looking around confused.
After which point, there was a knock at the door the baker from up the road had a basket full of bread to deliver which he had been baking from 2 am that morning.
He said — “ God told me of a need at the orphan house.”
Also at the same time, the milk float broke down in front of the orphanage and the milkman gave the milk to the orphanage rather than letting it spoil.
“There were many such accounts causing the faith of everyone who witnessed these miracles to be strengthened. “
“Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.” — George Müller
Faith Comes by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of God.
Müller learned that it was better to rely on God’s word(the Bible) than it was to rely on his own strength and means, he was also quick to point out that he was a man like anyone else and that — anyone could learn to rely on God as he did.
Evidence of Things Not Seen.
The Christian faith is not blind faith but faith in evidence, God has provided much tangible evidence for the searching soul in the realms of history, science, and personal experience.
This example of faith through personal experience stands as a great monument in the corridors of history which serves as a reminder of what God can do for your mission but it does not stop there it beckons to each of us personally saying, a journey of great faith starts with the first step.
In the words of Jesus, “He who has ears to hear let him hear.”
Visit the Müllers Museum in Bristol: https://www.mullers.org/
Learn about George’s Müllers life here.
Pictures from Mullers.org