It was the 1800s in England. Many orphans were standing at their chairs around the orphanage table, waiting for breakfast to begin. There was only one problem: there was no food on the table, or in the pantry, or anywhere else in the building. There was nothing for the orphans to eat. Then the orphanage director, Mr. George Mueller, walked into the room. He knew there was no food in the house, yet, without hesitation, he led the orphans in a prayer to thank God for their breakfast. But there was no breakfast.
I wonder what the orphans thought at that moment. Do you think they trusted Mr. Mueller? I wonder what George Mueller thought. Can you imagine having so many orphans dependent on you for everything they have? It would be hard for the orphans to trust Mr. Mueller when there was no food in the house. I think it must have been hard for George Mueller to trust God when there was no food in the house and no money to buy any.
Of course, George Mueller was not the only one in history to have a difficult situation like this. He was not the only one asked to have faith in God. For example, Noah was asked to build a gigantic boat in preparation for a devastating flood (Gen. 6:9-16) - but don’t you think he wondered if a worldwide flood was even possible? Abraham was ninety-nine years old when God promised him a son (Gen. 18:10). Moses trusted that God would part the Red Sea (Ex. 14:10) and provide food for an army of people - in the middle of the desert (Ex. 16:2-3). Daniel was thrown into a cave with hungry lions (Dan. 6:16-17). They all put their faith in God. God never let them down. Noah worked for about seventy years preparing for a flood unlike anything he had ever seen before. He was glad he obeyed when God sent the flood He had promised. Against all earthly odds, Abraham’s first son Isaac was born to him when he was one hundred years old (Gen. 21:1-7). One hundred! God knew what He was doing. And He was able to do what He had promised. Can you imagine how Moses felt when the strong east wind pushed the waters back so the Israelites could cross (Ex. 14:19-31)? I wonder what he was thinking when manna fell from heaven to feed them when they had lost all hope (Ex. 16:13-15). Daniel spent a whole night in a cave with hungry lions, yet he was alive to eat breakfast the next morning (Dan. 6:21-22). What causes you to worry? Is someone you love sick? Is money tight at your house? Do you have to go to a new school? Are you moving? Perhaps you have a friend or family member in a dangerous situation, or you’re worried about staying home alone. Maybe you’re concerned about politics, or you’re nervous about a decision you have to make. These are all frightening situations; these are the situations that require faith.
God, in His infinite power, created the world out of nothing. We can believe that He has the ability to help us in our troubles. God, in His unfathomable love, sent His Son to pay our penalty - He will always give us what is best for us. Even when it’s hard for us to understand what God is doing, He always has a purpose - and a plan. Sooner or later, we are all called to trust God. We worry because of what we can’t see, but God tells us to trust Him because He can see everything. His power is great enough and His love is constant.
George Mueller trusted God. Just after George Mueller finished praying, there was a knock at the door. When the door was opened, there stood the local baker. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he said. “Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at two o’clock and baked some fresh bread for you.” The Lord sent an answer to prayer through the baker’s gift. As soon as the baker left, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman! “My cart broke down out in the street,” he said. “I have to unload it to repair it. Can you use the fresh milk?” What if George Mueller had tried to help himself instead of waiting for God’s help? There would have been no illustration of God’s greatness. The orphans would not have seen firsthand how God cared for them and was able to take care of them. And we would not have this incredible account of God answering one man’s prayer. It’s hard to trust God when everything looks hopeless. But the reward is worth the wait. What more could we ask than watching God work in our lives? When we face hard times and difficult situations, we must remember to have faith in what God has promised in His Word. Won’t it be great to see what God will do?!
George Mueller Story: Adapted from Hero Tales, by Dave and Neta Jackson
