George Müller's story is one of the most remarkable demonstrations of living by faith in modern Christian history. Let me elaborate on this powerful testimony of walking in faith as Jesus did:
In 1835, Müller began his orphanage work in Bristol, England, during the harsh conditions of the Industrial Revolution. Unlike other charitable organizations of his time, he made a radical decision - he would never directly ask for money or tell anyone about his financial needs except God in prayer. This decision wasn't just a personal preference; it was his way of demonstrating to a skeptical world that God was real and answered prayers.
There were numerous dramatic instances of God's provision. One famous morning, 300 children sat at breakfast tables with empty plates. Müller prayed, "Dear Father, we thank you for what you are going to give us to eat." Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. He explained that he couldn't sleep the night before, sensing God wanted him to bake bread for the orphanage. Shortly after, a milkman's cart broke down right in front of the orphanage. Since the milk would spoil by the time his cart was fixed, he offered it freely to the orphanage. The children had their breakfast that morning, never knowing they had almost missed it.
Another time, when funds were completely depleted, Müller received a letter from someone who had just inherited a significant sum and felt led to donate to the orphanages. The amount exactly matched their needs for that day. Such precise timing of provision happened repeatedly throughout his ministry.
Over his lifetime, Müller cared for more than 10,000 orphans, established 117 schools which offered Christian education to more than 120,000 children, distributed over 285,000 Bibles, and supported hundreds of missionaries. All of this was accomplished without ever making his needs known to potential donors. By the time of his death in 1898, he had received today's equivalent of millions of dollars, all through prayer alone.
What makes Müller's story particularly powerful is how he detailed every provision in his journals. He kept meticulous records of every answered prayer, creating what he called his "testimony to the living God." These journals served multiple purposes:
They provided accountability and transparency in the ministry's finances
They encouraged others to trust God more fully
They created a documented legacy of God's faithfulness
Beyond just receiving provisions, Müller demonstrated faith in other challenging situations. During Atlantic voyages, his ship once encountered dense fog. He needed to reach Quebec by a certain date for a preaching commitment. He went to the captain and shared that he had never been late for an appointment in 52 years of service. He suggested they pray about the fog. The captain was skeptical but agreed. After Müller's simple prayer, the fog lifted immediately, and he reached his appointment on time.
This way of living illustrated Jesus's teachings in Matthew 6:26-33 about not worrying about provisions but seeking first God's kingdom. Like Jesus, who trusted the Father completely even when facing the cross, Müller demonstrated that same level of trust in seemingly impossible situations. His life became a living sermon of Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Müller's legacy continues to inspire Christians today to walk in greater faith, showing that trusting God completely for provision isn't just a biblical concept but a practical reality that can be lived out in any century. His story reminds us that walking as Jesus walked includes trusting the Father's provision with childlike faith while maintaining adult-like responsibility in stewarding what God provides.
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Blessings,
Pastor JM Raja Lawrence
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
email: lawrencejmr@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9933250072