Address to Young Converts & Counsel to Christians by George Muller

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CTL.Today
PRESENTS
Address to Young Converts
&
Counsel to Christians
by Mr George Müller of Bristol (1805-1898)
George Müller was asked, “What is the secret of your service to God?” Muller’s
response was this: “There was a day when I died, utterly died, died to George
Müller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will…died to the world, its approval
and censure…died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends…and
since then I have studied to show myself approved only to God.
A servant of God has but one Master.
“The primary business I must attend to every day is to fellowship with the Lord.
The first concern is not how much I might serve the Lord, but how my
inner man might be nourished.” ~ George Müller
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George Müller of Bristol by Arthur T. Pierson
Full AudioBook unabridged: https://youtu.be/p-DhVtem9-
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George Müller was a native German (a Prussian). He was born in
Kroppenstaedt on September 27, 1805 and lived almost the entire nineteenth
century. He died March 10, 1898 at the age of 92. He saw the great awakening
of 1859 which he said “led to the conversion of hundreds of thousands.” He
did follow up work for D. L. Moody, preached for Charles Spurgeon, and
inspired the missionary faith of Hudson Taylor. Müller, a Christian
evangelist and Director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England,
cared for at least 10,000 orphans in his lifetime and through his legacy of
inspiring others to do the same, the number of children increased to
100,000. He prayed in millions of dollars (in today's currency the estimate is
150 million) for the orphans and never asked anyone directly for money. He
also established 117 schools which offered Christian education to over
120,000 children, and never took a salary in the last 68 years of his ministry,
but trusted God to put in people's hearts to send him what he needed.
Neither he nor the orphans were ever hungry or lacking in any necessities.
He did all of this by seeking means from God through prayer.
When he was over seventy he started on a preaching mission, which lasted
nearly seventeen years. He traveled nearly two hundred thousand miles in
forty-two countries, preaching the Gospel to over three million people.
Tens of thousands attended George Page 4Muller’s funeral

Contents
George Müller of Bristol by Arthur T. Pierson AudioBook … 3
Address To Young Converts … 6
The Careful and Consecutive Reading of the Holy Scriptures … 18
George Müller Short Biography/Movie … 21
An Hour With George Muller … 36
Real Faith … 46
Be Anxious About Nothing … 51
The Armor of God … 54
The Secret of Prevailing Prayer … 76
Five Conditions of Prevailing Prayer … 86
How to Know the Will of God … 87
Resources … 88
George Muller Quotes … 91
Scripture Texts that Moulded George Muller … 93
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Address to Young Converts
A sermon preached at Mildmay Conference Hall
by Mr George Müller of Bristol
As one who for fifty years has known the Lord, and has labored in
word and doctrine, I ought to be able, in some little measure, to lend
a helping hand to these younger believers. And if God will only
condescend to use the acknowledgment of my own failures to which I
refer, and of my experience, as a help to others in walking on the
road to heaven, I trust that your coming here will not be in vain. This
was the very purpose of my leaving home – that I might help these
dear young brethren.
THE MANNER OF READING THE WORD
One of the most deeply important points is that of attending to the
careful, prayerful reading of the Word of God, and meditation
thereon. I would therefore ask your particular attention to one verse
in the Epistle of Peter (1 Peter 2.2), where we are especially exhorted
by the Holy Ghost through the apostle, regarding this subject. For the
sake of the connection, let us read the first verse, “Wherefore laying
aside all malice, and all guile and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evilspeakings,
as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye
may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
The particular point to which I refer is contained in the second verse,
“as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word.” As growth
in the natural life is attained by proper food, so in the spiritual life,
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if we desire to grow, this growth is only to be attained through the
instrumentality of the Word of God. It is not stated here, as some
might be very willing to say, that “the reading of the Word may be of
importance under some circumstances.” Nor is it stated that you may
gain profit by reading the statement which is made here; it is of the
‘Word,’ and of the Word alone, that the apostle speaks, and nothing
else.
CLEAVE TO THE WORD OF GOD
You say that the reading of this tract or of that book often does you
good. I do not question it. Nevertheless, the instrumentality which
God has been specially pleased to appoint and to use is that of the
Word itself; and just in the measure in which the disciples of the
Lord Jesus Christ attend to this, they will become strong in the Lord;
and in so far as it is neglected, so far will they be weak. There is such
a thing as babes being neglected, and what is the consequence? They
never become healthy men or women, because of that early neglect.
Perhaps – and it is one of the most hurtful forms of this neglect –
they obtain improper food, and therefore do not attain the full vigor
of maturity. So with regard to the divine life. It is a most deeply
important point, that we obtain right spiritual food at the very
beginning of that life. What is that food? It is “the sincere milk of the
Word;” that is the proper nourishment for the strengthening of the
new life. Listen, then, my dear brethren and sisters, to some advice
with regard to the Word.
James 1:21 …receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls.
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CONSECUTIVE READING
First of all, it is of the utmost moment that we read regularly
through the Scripture. We ought not to turn over the Bible, and pick
out chapters as we please here and there, but we should read it
carefully and regularly through. I speak advisedly, and as one who
has known the blessedness of thus reading the Word for the last
forty-six years. I say forty-six years, because for the first four years
of my Christian life I did not carefully read the Word of God. I used
to read a tract, or an interesting book; but I knew nothing of the
power of the Word. I read very little of it, and the result was, that,
although a preacher then, yet I made no progress in the divine life.
And why? Just for this reason – I neglected the Word of God.
But it pleased God, through the instrumentality of a beloved
Christian brother, to rouse in me an earnestness about the Word, and
ever since then I have been a lover of it.
Let me, then, press upon you my first point, that of attending
regularly to reading through the Scriptures. I do not suppose that
you all need the exhortation. Many, I believe, have already done so;
but I speak for the benefit of those who have not. To those I say, My
dear friends, begin at once. Begin with the Old Testament, and when
you have read a chapter or two, and are about to leave off, put a mark
that you may know where you have left off. I speak in all simplicity
for the benefit of those who may be young in the divine life. The next
time you read, begin the New Testament, and again put a mark where
you leave off. And thus go on, always reading alternately the Old and
the New Testaments. Thus, by little and little, you will read through
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the whole Bible; and when you have finished, begin again at the
beginning.
THE CONNECTION OF SCRIPTURE
Why is this so deeply important? Simply that we may see the
connection between one book and another of the Bible, and between
one chapter and another. If we do not read in this consecutive way,
we lose a great part of what God has given to instruct us. Moreover,
if we are children of God, we should be well acquainted with the
whole revealed will of God – the whole of the Word. “All Scripture is
given by inspiration, and is profitable.”
And much may be gained by thus carefully reading through the
whole of the revealed will of God. Suppose a rich relative were to die,
and leave us, perhaps, some land, or houses, or money, should we be
content with reading only the clauses that affected us particularly?
No, we would be careful to read the whole will right through. How
much more, then, with regard to the revealed will of God ought we to
be careful to read it through, and not merely one and another of the
chapters or books.
ANOTHER BENEFIT OF THIS CONSECUTIVE READING
And this careful reading of the Word of God has this advantage, that
it keeps us from making a system of doctrine of our own, and from
having our own particular favorite views, which is very pernicious.
We often are apt to lay too much stress on certain views of the truth
which affect us particularly. The will of the Lord is, that we should
know His whole revealed mind. Again variety in the things of God is of
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great moment. And God has been pleased to give us this variety in
the highest degree; and the child of God, who follows out this plan,
will be able to take an interest in every part of the Word.
Suppose one says, “Let us read in Leviticus.” Very well, my brother.
Suppose another says, “Let us read in the prophecy of Isaiah.” Very
well, my brother. And another will say, “Let us read in the Gospel
according to Matthew.” Very well, my brother; I can enjoy them all;
and whether it be in the Old Testament, or in the New Testament,
whether in the Prophets, the Gospels, the Acts, or the Epistles, I
should welcome it, and be delighted to welcome the reading and
study of any part of the divine Word.
SPECIALLY BENEFICIAL TO THE LABORER FOR CHRIST
And this will be of particular advantage to us, in case we should
become laborers in Christ’s vineyard; because in expounding the
Word, we shall be able to refer to every part of it. We shall equally
enjoy the reading of the Word, whether of the Old or the New
Testament, and shall never get tired of it. I have, as before stated,
known the blessedness of this plan for forty-six years, and though I
am now nearly seventy years of age, and though I have been
converted for nearly fifty years, I can say, by the grace of God, that I
more than ever love the Word of God, and have greater delight than
ever in reading it.
And though I have read the Word nearly a hundred times right
through, I have never got tired of reading it, and this is more
especially through reading it regularly, consecutively, day by day,
and not merely reading a chapter here and there, as my own
thoughts might have led me to do.
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THE WORD PRAYERFULLY
Again, we should read the Scripture prayerfully, never supposing
that we are clever enough or wise enough to understand God’s Word
by our own wisdom. In all our reading of the Scriptures let us seek
carefully to have the help of the Holy Spirit; let us ask, for Jesus’
sake, that He will enlighten us. He is willing to do it. I will tell you
how it fared with me at the very first; it may be for your
encouragement. It was in the year 1829, when I was living in
Hackney. My attention had been called to the teaching of the Spirit
by a dear brother of experience. “Well,” I said, “I will try this plan;
and will give myself, after prayer, to the careful reading of the Word
of God, and to meditation, and I will see how much the Spirit is
willing to teach me in this way.”
AN ILLUSTRATION OF THIS
I went accordingly to my room, and locked my door, and putting the
Bible on a chair, I went down on my knees at the chair. There I
remained for several hours in prayer and meditation over the Word
of God; and I can tell you that I learned more in those three hours
which I spent in this way, than I had learned for many months
previously. I thus obtained the teaching of the Divine Spirit, and I
cannot tell you the blessedness which it was to my own soul. I was
praying in the Spirit, and putting my trust in the power of the Spirit,
as I had never done before.
You cannot, therefore, be surprised at my earnestness in pressing
this upon you, when you have heard how precious to my heart it was,
and how much it helped me.
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MEDITATE ON THE WORD
But again, it is not enough to have prayerful reading only, but we
much also meditate on the Word. As in the instance I have just
referred to, kneeling before the chair, I meditated on the Word. It
was not simply reading it, not simply praying over it. It was all that,
but, in addition it was pondering over what I had read. This is deeply
important. If you merely read the Bible, and no more, it is just like
water running in at one side and out at the other. In order to be really
benefited by it, we must meditate on it. We cannot all of us, of course,
spend many hours, or even one or two hours each day in this
manner. Our business demands our attention. Yet, however short the
time you can afford, give it regularly to reading, prayer and
meditation over the Word, and you will find it will well repay you.
MAKE THE MEDITATION PERSONAL
In connection with this, we should always read and meditate over the
Word of God, with reference to ourselves and our own heart. This is
deeply important, and I cannot press it too earnestly upon you. We
are apt often to read the Word with reference to others. Parents read
it in reference to their children, children for their parents;
evangelists read it for their congregations, Sunday-school teachers
for their classes. Oh! this is a poor way of reading the Word; if read in
this way, it will not profit. I say it deliberately and advisedly; the
sooner it is given up, the better for your own souls. Read the Word of
God always with reference to your own heart, and when you have
received the blessing in your own heart, you will be able to
communicate it to others.
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Whether you labor as evangelists, as pastors, or as visitors,
superintendents of Sunday schools, or teachers, tract distributors or
in whatever other capacity you may seek to labour for the Lord, be
careful to let the reading of the Word be with distinct reference to
your own heart. Ask yourselves, how does this suit me, either for
instruction, for correction, for exhortation, or for rebuke? How does
this affect me? If you thus read, and get the blessing in your own
soul, how soon it will flow out to others!
READ IN FAITH
Another point. It is of the utmost moment in reading the Word of
God, that the reading should be accompanied with faith. “The word
preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them
that heard it.” As with the preaching, so with the reading it must be
mixed with faith. Not simply reading it as you would read a story,
which you may receive or not; not simply as a statement, which you
may credit or not; or as an exhortation, to which you may listen or
not; but as the revealed will of the Lord: that is, receiving it with
faith. Received thus, it will nourish us, and we shall reap benefit.
Only in this way will it benefit us; and we shall gain from it health
and strength in proportion as we receive it with real faith.
BE DOERS OF THE WORD
Lastly, if God does bless us in reading His Word, He expects that we
should be obedient children, and that we should accept the Word as
His will, and carry it into practice. If this be neglected, you will find
that the reading of the Word, even if accompanied by prayer,
meditation and faith, will do you little good. God does expect us to be
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obedient children, and will have us practice what He has taught us.
The Lord Jesus Christ says: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if
ye do them.” And in the measure in which we carry out what our Lord
Jesus taught, so much in measure are we happy children. And in such
measure only can we honestly look for help from our Father, even as
we seek to carry out His will.
If there is one single point I would wish to have spread all over this
country, and over the whole world, it is just this, that we should seek,
beloved Christian friends, not to be hearers of the Word only, but “doers
of the Word.” I doubt not that many of you have sought to do this
already, but I speak particularly to those younger brethren and
sisters who have not yet learned the full force of this. Oh! seek to
attend earnestly to this, it is of vast importance. Satan will seek with
much earnestness to put aside the Word of God; but let us seek to
carry it out and to act upon it. The Word must be received as a legacy
from God, which has been communicated to us by the Holy Ghost.
Therefore, it is the will of the Lord that we should always own our
dependence upon Him in prayer.
THE FULLNESS OF THE REVELATION GIVEN IN THE WORD
And remember that, to the faithful reader of this blessed Word, it
reveals all that we need to know about the Father – all that we need to
know about the Lord Jesus Christ, all about the power of the Spirit,
all about the word that lieth in the wicked one, all about the road to
heaven, and the blessedness of the world to come. In this blessed
book we have the whole Gospel, and all rules necessary for our
Christian life and warfare. Let us see then that we study it with our
whole heart and with prayer, meditation, faith and obedience.
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PRAYER
The next point on which I will speak for a few moments has been
more or less referred to already, it is that of prayer. You might read
the Word and seem to understand it very fully, yet if you are not in the
habit of waiting continually upon God, you will make little progress in
the divine life. We have not naturally in us any good thing; and cannot
expect, save by the help of God, to please Him.
The blessed Lord Jesus Christ gave us an example in this particular.
He gave whole nights to prayer. We find Him on the lonely mountain
engaged by night in prayer. And as in every way He is to be an
example to us, so, in particular, on this point. He is an example to us.
The old evil corrupt nature is still in us, though we are born again;
therefore, we have to come in prayer to God for help. We have to
cling to the power of the Mighty One. Concerning everything, we
have to pray. Not simply when great troubles come, when the house
is on fire, or a beloved wife is on the point of death, or dear children
are laid down in sickness – not simply at such times, but also in little
things. From the very early morning, let us make everything a
matter of prayer, and let it be so throughout the day, and throughout
our whole life.
A Christian lady said lately, that thirty-five years ago she heard me
speak on this subject in Devonshire; and that then I referred to
praying about little things. I had said, that suppose a parcel came to
us, and it should prove difficult to untie the knot, and you cannot cut
it; then you should ask God to help you, even to untie the knot. I
myself had forgotten the words, but she has remembered them, and
the remembrance of them, she said, had been a great help to her
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again and again. So I would say to you, my beloved friends, there is
nothing too little to pray about. In the simplest things connected
with our daily life and walk, we should give ourselves to prayer; and
we shall have the living, loving Lord Jesus to help us. Even in the
most trifling matters I give myself to prayer and often in the
morning, even ere I leave my room I have two or three answers to
prayer in this way.
Young believers, in the very outset of the divine life in your souls,
learn, in childlike simplicity, to wait upon God for everything! Treat
the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Friend, able and willing to
help you in everything. How blessed it is to be carried in His loving
arms all the day long! I would say, that the divine life of the believer
is made up of a vast number of little circumstances and little things.
Every day there comes before us a variety of little trials, and if we
seek to put them aside in our own strength and wisdom, we shall
quickly find that we are confounded. But if, on the contrary, we take
everything to God, we shall be helped, and our way shall be made
plain. Thus our life will be a happy life!
A WORD TO THE UNCONVERTED
I am here to-night addressing believers, those who have felt the
burden of their sins, and have accepted Christ as their Savior, and
who now through Him have peace with God and seek to glorify Him.
But if there be any here who are still in their sins, in a state of
alienation from God, let me say, if they die in this state, the terrible
punishment of sin must fall upon them. Unless their sins are
pardoned, and they are made fit for the Divine presence, they can
never enter heaven. But, dear friends, Christ came to save the lost,
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and as sinners, you are lost, and you have no power of your own to
save yourselves. The world talks of turning over a new leaf, but that
will not satisfy Divine justice. Sin must be punished, or God’s
righteousness would be set aside. Jesus came into the world to bear
that punishment. He has borne it in our room and stead. He has
suffered for us. Now what God looks for from us is, that we accept
Jesus as our Savior, and put our trust in Him for the salvation of our
souls. Whosoever looks really and entirely to Him shall assuredly be
saved. Let his sins be ever so many, he shall have the forgiveness of
them all.
Nay, more, he will be accepted by God as His child. He will become an
heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. Oh, what a great and
glorious salvation, so freely given! May it be as thankfully accepted!
And may we who rejoice in Him stand boldly out and confess Christ,
and work for Him. May we not be half-hearted, but be valiant
soldiers of Christ. Let us be decided for Christ.
Let us walk as in God’s sight, in holy, peaceful, happy fellowship
with Him, in the enjoyment of that nearness into which we are
brought in Christ. Oh, the blessedness of this privilege of living near
to God in this life! May we, then, seek His guidance in everything, so
that we may be a blessing to others, and thus we shall be greatly
blessed in our own souls.
Intimate knowledge of God is possible if we habitually search His Holy
Scriptures & translate what we find into obedience. ~ George Müller
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The Careful and Consecutive Reading
of the Holy Scriptures
by George Müller
I fell into the snare, into which so many young believers fall, the
reading of religious books in preference to the Scriptures. I could no
longer read French and German novels, as I had formerly done, to
feed my carnal mind; but still I did not put into the room of those
books the best of all books. I read tracts, missionary papers,
sermons, and biographies of godly persons. The last kind of books I
found more profitable than others, and had they been well selected,
or had I not read too much of such writings, or had any of them
tended particularly to endear the Scriptures to me, they might have
done me much good. I never had been at any time in my life in the
habit of reading the Holy Scriptures. When under fifteen years of
age, I occasionally read a little of them at school; afterwards God's
precious Book was entirely laid aside, so that I never read one single
chapter of it, as far as I remember, till it pleased God to begin a work
of grace in my heart. Now the Scriptural way of reasoning would
have been: God himself has condescended to become an author and I
am ignorant about that precious Book, which His Holy Spirit has
caused to be written through the instrumentality of His servants,
and it contains that which I ought to know, and the knowledge of
which will lead me to true happiness; therefore I ought to read again
and again this most precious Book, this Book of books, most
earnestly, most prayerfully, and with much meditation; and in this
practice I ought to continue all the days of my life. For I was aware,
though I read it but little, that I knew scarcely anything of it. But
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instead of acting thus, and being led by my ignorance of the word of
God to study it more, my difficulty in understanding it, and the little
enjoyment I had in it, made me careless of reading it (for much
prayerful reading of the Word, gives not merely more knowledge,
but increases the delight we have in reading it); and thus, like many
believers, I practically preferred, for the first four years of my divine
life, the works of uninspired men to the oracles of the living God.
The consequence was, that I remained a babe, both in knowledge and
grace. In knowledge I say; for all true knowledge must be derived by
the Spirit, from the Word. And as I neglected the Word, I was for
nearly four years so ignorant, that I did not clearly know even
the fundamental points of our holy faith. And this lack of
knowledge most sadly kept me back from walking steadily in the
ways of God. For it is the truth that makes us free …
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
by delivering us from the slavery of the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of
the eyes, and the pride of life. The Word proves it; and also my own
experience most decidedly proves it. For when it pleased the Lord in
Aug., 1829 to bring me really to the Scriptures, my life and walk
became very different. And though even since that I have very much
fallen short of what I might and ought to be, yet, by the grace of God,
I have been enabled to live much nearer to Him than before.
"If any believers read this, who practically prefer other books to the
Holy Scriptures, and who enjoy the writings of men much more than
the word of God, may they be warned by my loss. I shall consider this
book to have been the means of doing much good, should it please
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the Lord, through its instrumentality, to lead some of His people no
longer to neglect the Holy Scriptures, but to give them that
preference, which they have hitherto bestowed on the writings of
men. My dislike to increase the number of books would have been
sufficient to deter me from writing these pages, had I not been
convinced, that this is the only way in which the brethren at large
may be benefited through my mistakes and errors, and been
influenced by the hope, that in answer to my prayers, the reading of
my experience may be the means of leading them to value the
Scriptures more highly, and to make them the rule of all their
actions…
"Learned commentaries I have found to store the head, with many
notions and often also with the truth of God; but when
the Spirit teaches, through the instrumentality of prayer and
meditation, the heart is affected. The former kind of knowledge
generally puffs up, and is often renounced, when another
commentary gives a different opinion, and often also is found good
for nothing, when it is to be carried out into practice. The latter kind
of knowledge generally humbles, gives joy, leads us nearer to God,
and is not easily reasoned away; and having been obtained from God,
and thus having entered into the heart, and become our own, is also
generally carried out.”
“Lastly, if God does bless us in reading His word, He expects that we
should be obedient children, and that we should accept the Word as
His will, and carry it into practice. If this be neglected, you will find
that the reading of the Word, even if accompanied by prayer,
meditation, and faith, will do you little good.
John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
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George Muller Movie: https://bit.ly/2F2ziET
George Müller Short Biography
by J. Gilchrist Lawson
Among the greatest monuments of what can be
accomplished through simple faith in God are the great orphanages
covering thirteen acres of ground on Ashley Downs, Bristol,
England. When God put it into the heart of George Muller to build
these orphanages, he had only two shillings (50 cents) in his pocket.
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Without making his wants known to any man, but to God alone, over
a million, four hundred thousand pounds ($7,000,000) were sent to
him for the building and maintaining of these orphan homes. When
the writer first visited them, near the time of Mr. Muller's death,
there were five immense buildings of solid granite, capable of
accommodating two thousand orphans. In all the years since the
first orphans arrived the Lord had sent food in due time, so that they
had never missed a meal for want of food.
Although George Muller became famous as one of the greatest men
of prayer known to history, he was not always a saint. He wandered
very deep into sin before he was brought to Christ. He was born in
the kingdom of Prussia, in 1805. His father was a revenue collector
for the government, and was a worldly-minded man. He supplied
George and his brother with plenty of money when they were boys,
and they spent it very foolishly. George deceived his father about
how much money he spent, and also as to how he spent it. He also
stole the government money during his father's absence.
At ten years of age, George was sent to the cathedral classical school
at Halberstadt. His father wanted to make a Lutheran clergyman of
him, not that he might serve God, but that he might have an easy and
comfortable living from the State Church. "My time," says he. "was
now spent in studying, reading novels, and indulging, though so
young, in sinful practices. Thus it continued until I was fourteen
years old, when my mother was suddenly removed. The night she
was dying, I, not knowing of her illness, was playing cards until two
in the morning, and on the next day, being the Lord's day, I went with
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some of my companions in sin to a tavern, and then, being filled
with strong beer, we went about the streets half intoxicated."
"I grew worse and worse," says he. "Three or four days before I was
confirmed (and thus admitted to partake of the Lord's supper), I was
guilty of gross immorality; and the very day before my confirmation,
when I was in the vestry with the clergyman to confess my sins
(according to the usual practice), after a formal manner, I defrauded
him; for I handed over to him only a twelfth part of the fee which my
father had given me for him."
A few solemn thoughts and desires to lead a better life came to him,
but he continued to plunge deeper and deeper into sin. Lying,
stealing, gambling, novel-reading, licentiousness, extravagance, and
almost every form of sin was indulged in by him. No one would have
imagined that the sinful youth would ever become eminent for his
faith in God and for his power in prayer. He robbed his father of
certain rents which his father had entrusted him to collect, falsifying
the accounts of what he had received and pocketing the balance. His
money was spent on sinful pleasures, and once he was reduced to
such poverty that, in order to satisfy his hunger, he stole a piece of
coarse bread, the allowance of a soldier who was quartered in the
house where he was. In 1821 he set off on an excursion to Magdeburg,
where he spent six days in "much sin." He then went to Brunswick,
and put up at an expensive hotel until his money was exhausted. He
then put up at a fine hotel in a neighboring village, intending to
defraud the hotel-keeper. But his best clothes were taken in lieu of
what he owed. He then walked six miles to another inn, where he was
Page 23

arrested for trying to defraud the landlord. He was imprisoned for
this crime when sixteen years of age.
After his imprisonment young Muller returned to his home and
received a severe thrashing from his angry father. He remained as
sinful in heart as ever, but in order to regain his father's confidence
he began to lead a very exemplary life outwardly, until he had the
confidence of all around him. His father decided to send him to the
classical school at Halle, where the discipline was very strict, but
George had no intention of going there. He went to Nordhausen
instead, and by using many lies and entreaties persuaded his father
to allow him to remain there for two years and six months, till
Easter, 1825. Here he studied diligently, was held up as an example to
the other students, and became proficient in Latin, French, History,
and his own language (German). "But whilst I was outwardly gaining
the esteem of my fellow-creatures," says he, "I did not care in the
least about God, but lived secretly in much sin, in consequence of
which I was taken ill, and for thirteen weeks confined to my room.
All this time I had no real sorrow of heart, yet being under certain
natural impressions of religion, I read through Klopstock's works,
without weariness. I cared nothing about the Word of God."
"Now and then I felt I ought to become a different person," says he,
"and I tried to amend my conduct, particularly when I went to the
Lord's supper, as I used to do twice every year, with the other young
men. The day previous to attending that ordinance I used to refrain
from certain things, and on the day itself I was serious, and also
swore once or twice to God with the emblem of the broken body in
my mouth, to become better, thinking that for the oath's sake I
Page 24

should be induced to reform. But after one or two days were over, all
was forgotten, and I was as bad as before."
He entered the University of Halle as a divinity student, with good
testimonials. This qualified him to preach in the Lutheran state
church. While at the university he spent all his money in profligate
living. "When my money was spent," says he, "I pawned my watch
and part of my linen and clothes, or borrowed in other ways. Yet in
the midst of all this I had a desire to renounce this wretched life, for I
had no enjoyment in it, and had sense enough left to see, that the end
one day or other would be miserable; for I should never get a living.
But I had no sorrow of heart on account of offending God."
At the University he formed the acquaintance of a miserable
backslider, named Beta, who was trying by means of worldly
pleasures to drown out his conviction of sin. They plunged into sin
together, and in June, 1825, George was again taken sick. After his
recovery they forged letters purporting to be from his parents. With
these they obtained passports and set out to see Switzerland. Muller
stole from the friends who accompanied him and the journey did not
cost him so much as it did them. They returned home to finish up the
vacation and then went back to the University, Muller having lied to
his father about the trip to Switzerland.
At the University of Halle there were about nine hundred divinity
students. All of these were allowed to preach, but Muller estimates
that not nine of them feared the Lord. "One Saturday afternoon,
about the middle of November, 1825," says he, "I had taken a walk
with my friend Beta. On our return he said to me, that he was in the
Page 25

habit of going on Saturday evenings to the house of a Christian,
where there was a meeting. On further inquiry he told me that they
read the Bible, sang, prayed, and read a printed sermon. No sooner
had I heard this, but it was to me as if I had found something after
which I had been seeking all my life long. I immediately wished to go
with my friend, who was not at once willing to take me; for knowing
me as a merry young man, he thought I should not like this meeting.
At last, however, he said he would call for me."
Describing the meeting, Muller said: "We went together in the
evening. As I did not know the manners of the brethren, and the joy
they have in seeing poor sinners, even in any measure caring about
the things of God, I made an apology for coming. The kind answer of
this dear brother I shall never forget. He said: 'Come as often as you
please; house and heart are open to you."' After a hymn was sung they
fell upon their knees, and a brother, named Kayser, who afterwards
became a missionary to Africa, asked God's blessing on the meeting.
"This kneeling down made a deep impression upon me," says Muller,
"for I had never either seen any one on his knees, nor had I ever
myself prayed on my knees. He then read a chapter and a printed
sermon; for no regular meetings for expounding the Scriptures were
allowed in Prussia, except an ordained clergyman was present. At
the close we sang another hymn, and then the master of the house
prayed." The meeting made a deep impression upon Muller. "I was
happy," says he, "though if I had been asked why I was happy, I could
not clearly have explained it."
"When we walked home, I said to Beta, all we have seen on our
journey to Switzerland, and all our former pleasures, are as nothing
Page 26

in comparison with this evening. Whether I fell on my knees when I
returned home I do not remember; but this I know, that I lay peaceful
and happy in my bed. This shows that the Lord may begin his work
in different ways. For I have not the least doubt that on that evening
He began a work of grace in me, though I obtained joy without any
deep sorrow of heart, and with scarcely any knowledge. But that
evening was the turning point in my life. The next day, and Monday,
and once or twice besides, I went again to the house of this brother,
where I read the Scriptures with him and another brother; for it was
too long for me to wait until Saturday came again."
"Now my life became very different, though not so, that my sins were
all given up at once. My wicked companions were given up; the going
to taverns was discontinued; the habitual practice of telling
falsehoods was no longer indulged in, but still a few times more I
spoke an untruth... I now no longer lived habitually in sin, though I
was still often overcome and sometimes even by open sins, though
far less frequently than before, and not without sorrow of heart. I
read the Scriptures, prayed often, loved the brethren, went to church
from right motives and stood on the side of Christ, though laughed
at by my fellow students."
For a few weeks after his conversion Muller made rapid
advancement in the Christian life, and he was greatly desirous of
becoming a missionary. But he fell in love with a Roman Catholic
girl, and for some time the Lord was well nigh forgotten. Then
Muller saw a young missionary giving up all the luxuries of a
beautiful home for Christ. This opened his eyes to his own
selfishness and enabled him to give up the girl who had taken the
Page 27

place of Christ in his heart. "It was at this time," says he, "that I began
to enjoy the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. In this
my joy I wrote to my father and brother, entreating them to seek the
Lord, and telling them how happy I was; thinking, that if the way to
happiness were set before them, they would gladly embrace it. To my
great surprise an angry answer was returned."
George could not enter any German missionary training institution
without the consent of his father, and this he could not obtain. His
father was deeply grieved that after educating him so that he could
obtain a comfortable living as a clergyman he should turn
missionary. George felt that he could no longer accept any money
from him. The Lord graciously sent him means with which to
complete his education. He taught German to some American college
professors at the University, and they handsomely remunerated him
for his services. He was now the means of winning a number of souls
to Christ. He gave away thousands of religious tracts and papers, and
spoke to many persons concerning the salvation of their souls.
Although, before his conversion, Muller had written to his father
and told him about sermons he had preached, he never really
preached a sermon until some time after his conversion. He thought
to please his father by making him believe that he was preaching.
His first sermon was a printed one which he had memorized for the
occasion. He had but little liberty in preaching it. The second time he
preached extemporaneously and had some degree of liberty. "I now
preached frequently," says he, "both in the churches of the villages
and towns, but never had any enjoyment in doing so, except when
speaking in a simple way; though the repetition of sermons which
Page 28

had been committed to memory brought more praise from my fellow
creatures. But from neither way of preaching did I see any fruit. It
may be that the last day will show the benefit even of those feeble
endeavors. One reason why the Lord did not permit me to see fruit,
seems to me, that I should have been most probably lifted up by
success. It may be also because I prayed exceedingly little respecting
the ministry of the Word, and because I walked so little with God,
and was so rarely a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the
Master's use."
The true believers at the University increased from six to about
twenty in number before Muller left. They often met in Muller's
room to pray, sing and read the Bible. He sometimes walked ten or
fifteen miles to hear a really pious minister preach.
In 1827 Muller volunteered to go as a missionary pastor to the
Germans at Bucharest, but the war between the Turks and Russians
prevented this. In 1828, at the suggestion of their agent, he offered
himself to the London Missionary Society as a missionary to the
Jews. He was well versed in the Hebrew language and had a great love
for it. The Society desired him to come to London that they might see
him personally. Through the providence of God he finally secured
exemption for life from serving in the Prussian army, and he went to
England in 1829, at twenty-four years of age. He was not able to
speak the English language for some time after he landed in England
and then only in a very broken manner at first.
Soon after coming to England Muller received a deeper Christian
experience which entirely revolutionized his life. "I came weak in
Page 29

ody to England." says he, "and in consequence of much study, as I
suppose, I was taken ill on May 15, and was soon, at least in my own
estimation, apparently beyond recovery. The weaker I got in body,
the happier I was in spirit. Never in my whole life had I seen myself
so vile, so guilty, so altogether what I ought not to have been, as at
that time. It was as if every sin of which I had been guilty was
brought to my remembrance; but at the same time I could realize
that all my sins were completely forgiven -- that I was washed and
made clean, completely clean, in the blood of Jesus. The result of this
was great peace. I longed exceedingly to depart and to be with
Christ..."
"After I had been ill about a fortnight my medical attendant
unexpectedly pronounced me better. This, instead of giving me joy,
bowed me down, so great was my desire to be with the Lord; though
almost immediately afterwards grace was given me to submit myself
to the will of God."
That Muller always regarded the above experience as one which
deepened his whole spiritual life is clearly shown by a letter of his
which appeared in the British Christian, of August 14, 1902. In this
letter Muller says: "I became a believer in the Lord Jesus in the
beginning of November, 1825, now sixty-nine years and eight
months. For the first four years afterwards, it was for a good part in
great weakness; but in July, 1829, now sixty-six years since, it came
with me to an entire and full surrender of heart. I gave myself fully
to the Lord. Honors, pleasures, money, my physical powers, my
mental powers, all were laid down at the feet of Jesus, and I became a
great lover of the Word of God. I found my all in God, and thus in all
Page 30

my trials of a temporal and spiritual character, it has remained for
sixty-six years. My faith is not merely exercised regarding temporal
things, but regarding everything, because I cleave to the Word. My
knowledge of God and His Word is that which helps me."
Being advised to go into the country for his health, he prayed about
it and finally decided to go. He went to Devonshire, where the great
blessing he had already received was greatly augmented by his
conversations and prayers with a Spirit-filled minister whom he
first heard preach at Teignmouth. Through the conversations and
sermons of this minister he was led to see as never before "that the
Word of God alone is our standard of judgment in spiritual things;
that it can be explained only by His Holy Spirit; and that in our day,
as well as in former times, He is the teacher of His people. The office
of the Holy Spirit I had not experimentally understood before that
time," says he. "The result of this was, that the first evening that I
shut myself into my room to give myself to prayer and meditation
over the Scriptures, I learned more in a few hours than I had done
during a period of several months previously." Again, he says: "In
addition to these truths, it pleased the Lord to lead me to see a higher
standard of devotedness than I had seen before."
On his return to London, Muller sought to lead his brethren in the
training seminary into the deeper truths he had been brought to
realize. "One brother in particular," says he, "was brought into the
same state in which I was; and others, I trust, were more or less
benefited. Several times, when I went to my room after family
prayer, I found communion with God so sweet that I continued in
prayer until after twelve, and then being full of joy, went into the
Page 31

oom of the brother just referred to, and finding him also in a
similar frame of heart, we continued praying until one or two, and
even then I was a few times so full of joy that I could scarcely sleep,
and at six in the morning again called the brethren together for
prayer."
Muller's health declined in London and his soul was also now on fire
for God in such a way that he could not settle down to the routine of
daily studies. His newly acquired belief in the near coming of Christ
also urged him forward to work for the salvation of souls. He felt
that the Lord was leading him to begin at once the Christian work he
was longing to do, and as the London Missionary Society did not see
proper to send him out without the prescribed course of training, he
decided to go at once and trust the Lord for the means of support.
Soon after this he became pastor of Ebenezer Chapel, Teignmouth,
Devonshire. His marriage to Miss Mary Groves, a Devonshire lady,
followed. She was always of the same mind as her husband and their
married life was a very happy one. Not long after his marriage he
began to have conscientious scruples about receiving a regular
salary, and also about the renting of pews in his church. He felt that
the latter was giving the "man with the ring on his finger" the best
seat, and the poorer brother the footstool, and the former was taking
money from those who did not give "cheerfully" or "as the Lord had
prospered them." These two customs were discontinued by him. He
and his wife told their needs to no one but the Lord. Occasionally
reports were spread that they were starving; but though at times
their faith was tried, their income was greater than before. He and
his wife gave away freely all that they had above their present needs,
and trusted the Lord for their "daily bread."
Page 32

Muller preached in many surrounding towns, and many souls were
brought to Christ in his meetings. In 1832 he felt profoundly
impressed that, his work was ended in Teignmouth, and when he
went to Bristol the same year he was as profoundly impressed that
the Lord would have him work there. When the Spirit, the Word, and
the providence of God agree, we may be quite certain that the Lord is
leading us, for these three are
always in harmony and cannot
disagree. Not only did Muller feel
led of the Lord to work in Bristol,
but the providence of God opened
the way, and it seemed in harmony
with the Word of God.
Muller began his labors in Bristol
in 1832, as co-pastor with his
friend Mr. Craik, who had been
called to that city. Without salaries
or rented pews their labors were
greatly blessed at Gideon and
Bethesda Chapels. The
membership more than
quadrupled in numbers in a short
time. Ten days after the opening of
Bethesda there was such a crowd of
persons inquiring the way of
salvation that it took four hours to
minister to them. Subsequently Gideon Chapel was relinquished,
and in the course of time two neighboring chapels were secured.
Page 33

These churches, though calling themselves non-sectarian, were
usually classed with the people commonly known as "Plymouth
Brethren." Muller continued to preach to them as long as he lived,
even after he began his great work for the orphans. At the time of his
death he had a congregation of about two thousand persons at
Bethesda Chapel.
In 1834 Mr. Muller started the Scripture Knowledge Institution for
Home and Abroad. Its object was to aid Christian day-schools, to
assist missionaries, and to circulate the Scriptures. This institution,
without worldly patronage, without asking anyone for help, without
contracting debts; without committees, subscribers, or
memberships; but through faith in the Lord alone, had obtained and
disbursed no less a sum than £1,500,000 ($7,500,000) at the time of
Mr. Muller's death. The bulk of this was expended for the orphanage.
At the time of Mr. Muller's death 122,000 persons had been taught in
the schools supported by these funds; and about 282,000 Bibles and
1,500,000 Testaments had been distributed by means of the same
fund. Also 112,000,000 religious books, pamphlets and tracts had
been circulated; missionaries had been aided in all parts of the
world; and no less than ten thousand orphans had been cared for by
means of this same fund.
At the age of seventy, Mr. Muller began to make great evangelistic
tours. He traveled 200,000 miles, going around the world and
preaching in many lands and in several different languages. He
frequently spoke to as many as 4,500 or 5,000 persons. Three times
he preached throughout the length and breadth of the United States.
He continued his missionary or evangelistic tours until he was
Page 34

ninety years of age. He estimated that during these seventeen years
of evangelistic work he addressed three million people. All his
expenses were sent in answer to the prayer of faith.
Greatest of all Muller's undertakings was the erection and
maintenance of the great orphanages at Bristol. He began the
undertaking with only two shillings (50 cents) in his pocket; but in
answer to prayer and without making his needs known to human
beings, he received the means necessary to erect the great buildings
and to feed the orphans day by day for sixty years. In all that time the
children did not have to go without a meal, and Mr. Muller said that
if they ever had to go without a meal he would take it as evidence
that the Lord did not will the work to continue. Sometimes the meal
time was almost at hand and they did not know where the food
would come from, but the Lord always sent it in due time, during the
twenty thousand or more days that Mr. Muller had charge of the
homes. J. Gilchrist Lawson Warner Press, 1911
Page 35

An Hour With George Muller:
The Man of Faith to Whom God Gave Millions
Pastor Charles R. Parsons describes an hour’s interview
with George Müller toward the close of his life
A warm summer day found me slowly walking up the shady groves
of Ashley Hill, Bristol. At the top the immense buildings which
shelter over two thousand orphans, built by a man who has given to
the world the most striking object lesson in faith it has ever seen,
met my gaze.
The first house was on the right, and here, among his own people, in
plain, unpretentious apartments, lives a saintly patriarch, George
Muller. Passing through the lodge gate, I paused a moment to look at
House No. 3, one of the five erected at a cost of $600,000.
The bell is answered by an orphan, who conducts me up a lofty stone
staircase, and into one of the private rooms of the venerable founder
of this great institution. Mr. Muller has attained the remarkable age
of ninety-one. As I stand in his presence, veneration fills my mind.
"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man"
(Lev. 19:32).
He received me with a cordial handshake and bade we welcome. It is
something merely to see a man by whom God has accomplished a
mighty work: it is more to hear the tones of his voice; far greater
than either is the privilege of being brought into immediate contact
Page 36

with his spirit, and of feeling the warm breath of his soul breathed
into one's own.
The communion of that hour will be graven on my memory while
life shall last. This servant of the Most High opened his heart to me,
counseled me, prayed with me, and gave me his blessing.
In that hour the source of George Muller's great spiritual strength
was clearly made manifest. The aged saint with all his faculties
unimpaired, was eloquent the whole time on one theme, the praise
of Jehovah, the great Hearer and Answerer of His people's prayers.
My own words were few.
"You have always found the Lord faithful to His promise, Mr.
Muller?"
"Always! He has never failed me! For nearly seventy years every need
in connection with this work has been supplied. The orphans, from
the first until now have numbered nine thousand five hundred; but
they have never wanted a meal. Hundreds of times we have
commenced the day without a penny; but our Heavenly Father has
sent supplies the moment they were actually required. There never
was a time when we had no wholesome meal. During all these years I
have been enabled to trust in the living God alone. Seven million five
hundred thousand dollars have been sent to me in answer to prayer.
We have needed as much as two hundred thousand dollars in one
year, and it has all come when needed. No man can ever say I asked
him for a penny. We have no committees, no collectors, no voting,
and no endowment. All has come in answer to believing prayer. God
has many ways of moving the hearts of men to help us, all over the
Page 37

world. While I am praying, He speaks to one and another on this
continent and on that to send us help. Only the other evening,
while I was preaching, a gentleman wrote a check for a large
amount and handed it to me when the service was over."
"I have read your life, Mr. Muller, and noted how greatly your faith
has been tried at times. Is it so now?"
"My faith is tried, as much as ever, and my difficulties are greater
than ever. Besides our financial responsibilities, suitable helpers
have to be found constantly, and suitable places provided for
hundreds of orphans constantly leaving the homes. Then often our
funds run very low; only the other week we had come nearly to the
end of our supplies. I called my beloved helpers together, and said to
them, 'Pray, brethren, pray!' Immediately five hundred dollars was
sent us, then a thousand, and in a few days seven thousand five
hundred came in. But we have always to be praying, always
believing. Oh, it is good to trust in the living God, for He hath said, ‘I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee' (Heb. 13:5). Expect great things
from God, and great things you will have. There is no limit to what
He is able to do. Praises for ever to His glorious name! Praise Him for
everything! I have praised Him many times when He sent me ten
cents, and I have praised Him when He has sent me sixty thousand
dollars."
"I suppose you have never contemplated a reserve fund?"
"To do so would be an act of the greatest folly. How could I pray if I
had reserves? God would say, 'Bring out those reserves, George
Muller.' Oh no, I never thought of such a thing. Our reserve fund is
Page 38

in Heaven. The living God is our sufficiency. I have trusted Him for
one dollar, I have trusted Him for thousands, and never trusted in
vain. 'Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him’"(Ps. 34:8).
"Of course you have never thought of saving for yourself?"
Not easily nor soon shall I forget the dignified manner in which I was
answered by this mighty man of faith. Hitherto he had been sitting
opposite me with his knees close to mine, his hands clasped, his
eyes betokening a calm, quiet, meditative spirit. Most of the time he
had leaned forward, his gaze directed on the floor. But now he sat
erect, and for several moments searched my face, with an
earnestness that seemed to penetrate my very soul. There was a
grandeur and majesty about those undimmed eyes, so accustomed to
spiritual visions and to looking into the deep things of God. I do not
know whether the question sounded to him as a sordid one, or
whether it touched a lingering remnant of "the old self" to which he
alludes in his discourses. In any event, there was not a shadow of
doubt but that it roused his whole being. After a brief pause, during
which his face was a sermon, and the depths of his clear eyes flashed
fire, he unbuttoned his coat and drew from his pocket an oldfashioned
purse, with rings in the middle separating the character
of the coins. Placing it in my hands he said quietly, "All I am
possessed of is in that purse—every penny! Save for myself? Never!
When money is sent to me for my own use, I pass it on to God. As
much as five thousand dollars has thus been sent at one time; but I
do not regard such gifts as belonging to me; they belong
to Him, whose I am and whom I serve. Save for myself? I dare
Page 39

not save; it would dishonor my loving, gracious, all-bountiful
Father."
I handed the purse back to Mr. Muller. He told me the sum it
contained, and what he himself had given to the Orphanage and the
Scripture Knowledge Institution. These matters, however, together
with a few others, I am not at liberty to disclose.
There was a glow of holy enthusiasm in the face of this aged, faithful
man as he related some of the incidents pertaining to his preaching
tours in forty-two different countries [Note: Mr. Muller began his
travels when he was 70 and continued until he was 87 (from 1875 to
1892)] and how, in traveling from place to place, in some instances
thousands of miles apart, his every need had been supplied.
Hundreds of thousands of men and women of almost every nation
had come to hear him, and his great themes were the simple message
of salvation and the encouragement of believers to trust in the living
God. He told me that he prayed more about his sermons than
anything else and that often the text was not given him until he had
ascended the pulpit stairs, although he had been praying for it all
week.
I asked him if he spent much time on his knees.
"Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk,
when I lie down, and when I rise. And the answers are always
coming. Tens of thousands of times my prayers have been answered.
When once I am persuaded a thing is right, I go on praying for it
until the end comes. I never give up!"
Page 40

These words were spoken in an exulting tone. There was a ring of
triumph in them, and the man's countenance was aglow with holy
joy. He had risen from his seat while uttering them and had walked
around to the side of the table.
"Thousands of souls have been saved, in answer to my prayers," he
went on. "I shall meet tens of thousands of them in heaven."
There was another pause. I made no remark, and he continued: "The
great point is to never give up until the answer comes. I have been
praying every day for fifty-two years for two men, sons of a friend of
my youth. They are not converted yet, but they will be! How can it be
otherwise? There is the unchanging promise of Jehovah, and on that
I rest. The great fault of the children of God is that they do not
continue in prayer; they do not go on praying; they do not persevere.
If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they
get it.
"Oh, how good, kind, gracious, and condescending is the One with
whom we have to do! He has given me, unworthy as I am,
immeasurably above all I have asked or thought! I am only a poor,
frail, sinful man, but He has heard my prayers tens of thousands of
times and used me as the means of bringing tens of thousands of
souls into the way of truth, in this, and other lands. These unworthy
lips have proclaimed salvation to great multitudes, and very many
people have believed unto eternal life."
I asked Mr. Muller whether when he had any idea whereunto the
work would grow when he first began. After speaking of its
commencement in Wilson Street, he answered:
Page 41

"I only knew that God was in it, and was leading His child into
untried and untrodden paths. The assurance of His presence was my
stay."
"I cannot help noticing the way you speak of yourself," I said,
conscious that I was approaching a subject at once tender, sacred,
and closely allied with his deepest spiritual moods and personal
relationship to God, and I half-reproached myself as soon as the
words were uttered. He disarmed my fears by exclaiming, "There is
only one thing I deserve, and that is hell! I tell you, my brother, that
is the only thing I deserve. By nature I am a lost man; but I am sinner
saved by the grace of God. Though by nature a sinner, I do not live in
sin; I hate sin; I hate it more and more, and love holiness more and
more."
"I suppose through all these long years in your work for God, you
have met with much to discourage you," I asked.
"I have met with many discouragements; but at all times my
confidence has been in God," was the reply. "On the Word of
Jehovah's promise my soul rested! Oh, it is good to trust in Him; His
Word never returns void! 'He giveth power to the faint, and to them that
have no might, He increaseth strength’ (Isaiah 40:29).
This applies also to my public ministrations. Sixty-two years ago I
preached a poor, dry, barren sermon with no comfort to myself and,
as I imagined, with no comfort to others. But a long time afterwards I
heard of nineteen distinct cases of blessing resulting from that
sermon."
Page 42

I told him a few of the things that had discouraged me, and I
expressed a hope to be used more of God than ever.
"And you will be used of God, my brother," he exclaimed. "God
Himself will bless you! Toil on!"
"May I venture to ask you to give me a word of special counsel in
regard to my own work for God," I asked, "that I may pass it on to
other Christian toilers in the great harvest field of souls?"
He answered: "Seek entirely to depend on God for everything," he
answered. "Put yourself and your work into His hands. When
thinking of any new undertaking, ask, Is this agreeable to the mind
of God? Is it for His glory? If it is not for His glory, it is not for your
good, and you must have nothing to do with it. Mind that! Having
settled that a certain course is for the glory of God, begin it in His
name and continue in it to the end. Undertake it in prayer and faith,
and never give up!
"And do not regard iniquity in your heart. If you do, the Lord will not
hear you. Keep that before you always. Then trust in God. Depend
only on Him. Wait on Him. Believe on Him. Expect great things from
Him. Faint not if the blessing tarries. And above all, rely only on the
merits of our adorable Lord and Savior, so that according to them
and to nothing of your own, the prayers you offer and the work you
do be accepted."
I had no word of answer. What was there to say? My eyes were filled
with tears, and my heart was overflowing; and besides—
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"There was the speechless awe that
dared not move,
And all the silent heaven of love."
From another room Mr. Muller fetched a copy of his life, in which he
inscribed my name. His absence afforded me an opportunity of
looking around the apartment. The furniture was of the plainest
description, useful and in harmony with the man of God who had
been talking to me. It is a great principle with George Muller that it
does not become the children of God to be ostentatious in style,
appointment, dress, or manner of living. He believes that
expensiveness and luxury are not seemly in those who are the
professed disciples of the meek and lowly One who had not where to
lay His head. On a desk lay an open Bible, of clear type, without notes
or references.
This, I thought, is the abode of the mightiest man, spiritually
considered, of modern times—a man especially raised up to show to
a cold, calculating, selfish age the realities of the things of God and
to teach the Church how much she might gain if only she were wise
enough to take hold of the Omnipotent Arm.
I had been with this prince of prayer one whole hour, and only once
had there come a knock at his door. It was opened by Mr. Muller, and
there stood one of his orphans—one of the largest family on earth—
a fair-haired girl. "My dear," said he, "I cannot attend to you just now.
Wait awhile and I will see you." Thus was I privileged to remain
uninterrupted with this man of faith, this prevailer with God, this
traveler of ninety-one years along life's rough pilgrimage—a man
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who, like Moses, talks to God as a man talketh to his friend. To me it
was as one of the hours of Heaven come down to earth.
His prayer was short and simple. Going to his knees he said, "O Lord,
bless this dear servant now before Thee more and more, more and
more, more and more! And do Thou graciously guide his pen in what
he may write in regard to this Thy work and our conversation today. I
ask it through the merits of Thy dear Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Amen by A. Sims Zondervan Publishing House, 1939.
One day George Muller began praying for five of his friends. After many
months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were
converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Muller
persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those
52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was
rewarded, for soon after Muller's funeral the fifth friend was saved. George
Muller was a man who was known for his perseverance in prayer. Not only
did he endure in prayer for his lost friends, he saw miracle after miracle in his
ministry to the orphans as a result of his long-suffering in prayer. Our Daily Bread
https://librivox.org/george-mueller-of-bristol-by-arthur-t-pierson/
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Real Faith
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ...
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the
word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of
things which do appear."—Hebrews 11:1,3
"First: What is faith? In the simplest manner in which I am able to
express it, I answer: Faith is the assurance that the thing which God
has said in His Word is true, and that God will act according to what
He has said in His Word. This assurance, this reliance on
God's Word, this confidence is faith.
No impressions are to be taken in connection with faith. Impressions
have neither one thing nor the other to do with faith. Faith has to do
with the Word of God. It is not impressions, strong or weak, which
will make any difference. We have to do with the written Word and
not ourselves or our impressions.
Probabilities are not to be taken into account. Many people are
willing to believe regarding those things that seem probable to them.
Faith has nothing to do with probabilities. The province of faith
begins where probabilities cease and sight and sense fail. A great
many of God's children are cast down and lament their want of faith.
They write to me and say that they have no impressions, no feeling,
they see no probability that the thing they wish will come to pass.
Appearances are not to be taken into account. The question is—
whether God has spoken it in His Word.
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And now, my beloved friends, you are in great need to ask yourselves
whether you are in the habit of thus confiding, in your inmost soul,
in what God has said, and whether you are in earnest in seeking to
find whether the thing you want is in accordance with what He has
said in His Word.
Secondly: How faith may be increased. God delights to increase the
faith of His children. Our faith, which is feeble at first, is developed
and strengthened more and more by use. We ought, instead of
wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be
willing to take them from God's hand as a means. I say—and say it
deliberately—trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats,
are the very food of faith. I get letters from so many of God's dear
children who say: "Dear Brother Muller: I'm writing this because I
am so weak and feeble in faith." Just so surely as we ask to have our
faith strengthened, we must feel a willingness to take from God's
hand the means for strengthening it. We must allow Him to educate
us through trials and bereavements and troubles. It is through trials
that faith is exercised and developed more and more. God
affectionately permits difficulties, that He may develop unceasingly
that which He is willing to do for us, and to this end we should not
shrink, but if He gives us sorrow and hindrances and losses and
afflictions, we should take them out of His hands as evidences of His
love and care for us in developing more and more that faith which
He is seeking to strengthen in us.
The Church of God is not aroused to see God as the beautiful and
lovable One He is, and hence the littleness of blessedness. Oh,
beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, seek to learn for
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yourselves, for I cannot tell you the blessedness! In the darkest
moments I am able to confide in Him, for I know what a beautiful
and kind and lovable Being He is, and, if it be the will of God to put
us in the furnace, let Him do it, that so we may acquaint ourselves
with Him as He will reveal Himself, and that we may know
Him better. We come then to the conclusion that God is a lovable
Being, and we are satisfied with Him, and say: "It is my Father, let
Him do as He pleases."
When I first began to allow God to deal with me, relying on Him,
taking Him at His word, and set out fifty years ago simply relying on
Him for myself, family, taxes, traveling expenses and every other
need, I rested on the simple promises I found in the sixth chapter of
Matthew. I believed the Word, I rested on it and practiced it. I took
God at His Word. A stranger, a foreigner in England, I knew seven
languages and might have used them perhaps as a means of
remunerative employment, but I had consecrated myself to labor for
the Lord, I put my reliance in the God who has promised, and He has
acted according to His Word. I've lacked nothing—nothing. I have
had my trials and difficulties, and my purse empty, but my receipts
have aggregated. I have received thousands and thousands of
dollars, while the work has gone on these fifty-one years. Then, with
regard to my pastoral work; for the past fifty-one years I have had
great difficulties, great trials and perplexities. There will always be
difficulties, always trials. But God has sustained me out of them, and
the work has gone on.
Now, this is not, as some have said, because I am a man of great
mental power, or endowed with energy and perseverance—these are
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not the reasons. It is because I have confided in God; because I have
sought God, and He has cared for the Institution, which, under His
direction, has one hundred schools, with masters and mistresses,
and other departments of which I have told you before.
I do not carry the burden. And now in my sixty-seventh year, I have
physical strength and mental vigor for as much work as when I was a
young man in the university studying and preparing Latin orations.
I am just as vigorous as at that time. How comes this? Because in the
last half-century of labor I've been able with the simplicity of a
child, to rely upon God. I have had my trials, but I have laid hold
upon God, and so it has come to pass that I have been sustained. It is
not only permission, but positive command that He gives, to cast the
burdens upon Him. Oh, let us do it! My beloved brothers and sisters
in Christ, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain
thee" (Ps. 55:22). Day by day I do it. This morning sixty matters in
connection with the church of which I am pastor, I brought before
the Lord, and thus it is, day by day I do it, and year by year; ten years,
thirty years, forty years.
Do not, however, expect to obtain full faith at once. All such things as
jumping into full exercise of faith in such things I discountenance. I
do not believe in it. I do not believe in it, I do not believe in it and I
wish you plainly to understand I do not believe in it. All such things
go on in a natural way. The little I did obtain I did not obtain all at
once. All this I say particularly, because letters come to me full of
questions from those who seek to have their faith strengthened.
Begin over again, staying your soul in the Word of God, and you will
have an increase of your faith as you exercise it.
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One thing more. Some say, "Oh, I shall never have the gift of
faith Mr. Muller has got." This is a mistake—it is the greatest error—
there is not a particle of truth in it. My faith is the same kind of faith
that all God's children have had. It is the same kind that Simon Peter
had, and all Christians may obtain the like faith. My faith is their
faith, though there may be more of it because my faith has been a
little more developed by exercise than theirs; but their faith is
precisely the faith I exercise, only, with regard to degree, mine may
be more strongly exercised.
Now, my beloved brothers and sisters, begin in a little way. At first, I
was able to trust the Lord for ten dollars, then for a hundred dollars,
then for a thousand dollars, and now, with the greatest ease, I could
trust Him for a million dollars, if there was occasion. But first, I
should quietly, carefully, deliberately examine and see whether what
I was trusting for, was something in accordance with His promises in
His written Word. by A. Sims Zondervan Publishing House, 1939
FAITH.
ANXIETY.
Where Faith begins, anxiety ends;
Where anxiety begins, Faith ends.
Ponder these words of the Lord Jesus, "Only believe." As long as we
are able to trust in God, holding fast in heart, that he is able and
willing to help those who rest on the Lord Jesus for salvation, in all
matters which are for His glory and their good, the heart remains
calm and peaceful. It is only when we practically let go faith in His
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power or His love, that we lose our peace and become troubled. This
very day I am in great trial in connection with the work in which I am
engaged; yet my soul was calmed and quieted by the remembrance of
God's power and love; and I said to myself this morning: "As David
encouraged himself in Jehovah his God, when he returned to Ziklag,
so will I encourage myself in God;" and the result was peace of
soul.... It is the very time for faith to work, when sight ceases. The
greater the difficulties, the easier for faith. As long as there remain
certain natural prospects, faith does not get on even as easily (if I
may say so), as when all natural prospects fail.
“Be Anxious About Nothing.”
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the
beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. - George Müller
No anxiety ought to be found in the believer. Great, many and varied
may be our trials, our afflictions, our difficulties, and yet there
should be no anxiety under any circumstances, because we have a
Father in Heaven Who is almighty, Who loves His children as He
loves His only-begotten Son, and Whose very joy and delight it is to
succor and help them at all times and under all circumstances. We
should attend to the word, “in nothing be anxious, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be
made known unto God.” “In everything,” that is not merely when the
house is on fire, not merely when the beloved wife and children are
on the brink of the grave, but in the smallest matters of life, bring
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everything before God, the little things, the very little things, what
the world calls trifling things – everything – living in holy
communion with our Heavenly Father and with our precious Lord
Jesus all the day long. And when we awake at night, by a kind of
spiritual instinct again turning to Him, and speaking with Him in
the sleepless night, the difficulties in connection with the family, our
trade, our profession. Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord
about it. “By prayer and supplication,” taking the place of beggars,
with earnestness, with perseverance, going on and waiting, waiting,
waiting on God. “With thanksgiving.” We should at all times lay a
good foundation with thanksgiving. If everything else were wanting,
this is always present, that He has saved us from hell. Then, that He
has given us His Holy Word – His Son, His choicest Gift – and the
Holy Spirit. Therefore we have abundant reason for thanksgiving. O
let us aim at this! “And the peace of God which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
And this is so great a blessing, so real a blessing, and so precious a
blessing, that it must be known experimentally to be entered into,
for it passeth understanding. O let us lay these things to heart, and
the result will be, if we habitually walk in this spirit, we shall far
more abundantly glorify God, then as yet we have done. George
Muller, from his book “The Life of Trust”
"I have rolled my burdens on the Lord, and He has carried them for
me. The result of that has been that “the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding,” has kept my heart and mind. If we are anxious, it
brings about a gloomy look, and a gloomy look greatly dishonors
God and greatly deters the unconverted from seeking after the Lord,
for they say to themselves: “That man, that woman, is just as
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miserable as I am when I am in trouble.” But when they see we are in
heavy trial, in heavy affliction, and yet there is found a cheerful look
about us, our very look is an encouragement to the unconverted, and
also strengthens the hands of our follow-believers in God. And,
therefore, beloved, let us aim at this, that we be not anxious. As I
stated: It is to be obtained, but we cannot obtain it by own
resolutions, by our saying to ourselves – “I will go through it bravely.”
We have in our weakness and helplessness to roll our burdens on
God, then it is brought about that we have the peace of God.”
“Be anxious about nothing.” It is the great privilege of the child of
God not to be anxious. And it is possible to attain to it even in this
life; yea, in the midst of great difficulties, great trials. It can be
attained to, it is attained to by not a few of the children of God. And,
by the grace of God, I am one of those who for many a long year have
not been anxious." FOR MORE THAN SEVENTY YEARS I HAVE NOT
BEEN ANXIOUS. - George Muller
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known
to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power
of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore,
having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being
watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
THE portion from which I have it laid on my heart to speak a few
words of counsel and advice, especially to the younger brethren and
sisters in Christ, you will find in Ephesians 6:10-18. I have already
observed the deep importance of never, in the last degree, relying on
our own power and energy, or upon our past experience, or upon
what we think we can accomplish in the things of God; but rather
throughout to distrust ourselves, even to the very close of our earthly
pilgrimage, and only to rely upon the power and wisdom of God
Himself, so that in His power and might we may go forward in the
battle.
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WE MUST PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD;
and regarding this, we have observed the deep importance of putting
on the whole armor of God. Every part of the armor which God
Himself has been pleased to provide for His children, is absolutely
required, in order that we may be fully furnished for the conflict.
And for this very purpose has the armor been provided, that we may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. That adversary is very
subtle and crafty, and he is ever watching that he may get an
advantage over us. In order to lay still greater stress on this, the
apostle, by the guidance of the Holy Ghost, proceeds to say, “For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood.” The battle is not that of army
against army, or man against man, as in this world, “but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Here I
observe particularly, the deep importance of ever keeping before us,
that we have really and truly to fight against the powers of darkness,
And if at any time any of us should, through the subtlety of Satan,
yield to the temptation that there is no such thing as a real personal
devil, let them be aware that that is just one of his chief devices, in
order to throw the child of God off his guard, so that he may the
more easily get power over him.
THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION.
Verily, there is such a being as the devil. And he is mighty, as well as
experienced. But also, for our comfort, let us keep this before us, that
greater is He that is for us than all that can be against us. And
therefore with courage we may go forth against the powers of
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darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. As long as we
recognize our own weakness and impotency, and depend upon God,
we shall be helped even against these powers. Thus far we have
already proceeded. Now,
“WHEREFORE TAKE UNTO YOU.”
Wherefore; that is to say, because the conflict is what it is, and
because it is what has been described, because we do not fight
against man, or against flesh and blood, but against the powers of
darkness, and against spiritual evil powers, “Take unto you the
whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.” For this very purpose the amour is
provided for us, that we may be able to withstand and finally to
overcome.
Now let not any dear child of God suppose, as there is at times a
danger of supposing, that because the conflict is what it is—because
it is spiritual, and because our enemies are so many and so mighty,
that, therefore, it is utterly useless to attempt to fight against the
powers of darkness. Not so. Let us go with good courage to the
conflict. The will of the Lord is that we should
“BE OF GOOD COURAGE”;
and under whatever circumstances of danger, perplexity, or of trial,
the child of God may be placed, let him always be of “good courage.”
Who shall harm us, if God is for us? If He is on our side, who shall
then withstand us?
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But let us never trust in self, else we shall quickly find how weak we
are. Especially let us never begin to reason with the devil; he is too
much for us. The will of God is, never, never, never, under any
circumstance, to reason with the tempter. He who begins to reason,
is certain to fall; because we have ever to keep before us who the devil
is, and what power he has; and, therefore, if we begin to reason, we
are sure to be overcome.
THAT OLD SERPENT WHICH IS THE DEVIL.
We know not how long the chief of the evil spirits has been in
existence; but we know that he was in existence at the creation of the
world, and was the originator of evil.
Therefore, from the time he deceived our first parents, he has
reasoned with a great number of people, and has thus gained a vast
experience. Think of all this vast experience, and of all the wiles he
has learned, and you will see how absurd it is to attempt to reason
with Satan. God’s blessed Word is enough, and that is the only thing
he cannot stand against. But if you begin to reason with the devil, it
is certain that you cannot stand.
Never, then, attempt to reason; especially you, my younger brethren
and sisters in Christ. Learn at the outset of the divine life that you
most not reason, and that, if you do, you will fall. When tempted,
take the blessed book, and say, “My Lord says so-and-so, and I
believe it;” and in child-like simplicity rest upon it, Satan cannot
stand against that.
“Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
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withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” Notice
further that word
“EVIL DAY.”
What is particularly meant is the day of temptation; that is the evil
day. And on that day we are to take comfort in the knowledge that
God is our helper. But in a certain sense the whole of this life is an
evil day, because of the power of Satan, and because of the world
which surrounds us. The devil is ever on the watch to get at us, and
therefore in a certain sense the whole time were are in the body is
the evil day. The whole armor of God is given to us, not to be used on
this particular day, or that, but to be worn during the whole
pilgrimage of this life. We may have fought very successfully for a
time, but still we are to keep it on.
In the armies of this world, you all know how it is—battle after battle
has been fought, and success has been gained. Whet then? The armor
is put off and now, the soldiers rest. But not thus with the armor of
God. The whole pilgrimage is a time of war; the conflict ceases not,
but must he maintained throughout life.
THE SLEEP OF DEATH.
But to you who are not alive spiritually, who are dead in trespasses
and sins and have no conflict, I say, affectionately, it is the slumber
of death which is upon you. The life which you now live will be
terminated, unless you are awakened, in eternal spiritual death.
Therefore if you are not awakened, seek with all earnestness of
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purpose to be made to know your own state, and to seek to become
alive through Jesus Christ.
The gospel is yet preached to you—the law of mercy is still open
wide. The very fact that you are here today shows that the gospel
door is open yet. Oh, press into the door—believe the gospel—obey
the commandment to receive the gospel, and trust in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and in Him alone, for the salvation of your souls! Then, if
you do so, you will, in the riches of God’s grace, receive the
forgiveness of your sins; you will be regenerated, and, although your
were dead in trespasses and sins, you will instantaneously be made a
child of God, an heir of God, joint-heir with Christ; be brought on
the road to heaven, and have the bright and blessed prospect of everlasting
life before you. Then, and only then, you will know
something practically and experimentally of the conflict against the
powers of darkness.
It is to those, then, who are believers, and who know what the
conflict is, that I speak this evening. And to you beloved brethren
and sisters in Christ, but especially the younger brethren and sisters,
I say, never allow yourselves to be at ease with regard to the conflict.
It is written here,
“AND HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND.”
Oh, how deeply important it is to notice that we must be prepared to
stand firm. Again and again do we see the child of God who has set
out well, and who has continued for it time to run well, and who has
given up the world, with its habits and customs, its passions and
pursuits has renounced all these, and has rejoiced the heart of the
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Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the hearts of God’s dear children; has
gone on for a year or two, and then he begins to hanker after this
world; then he begins to take his ease in the conflict; another year or
two, and he is as much in the world as ever he was.
What a sad, sad, sad case is this; yet how frequently do we see it
occur. To avoid it, if I may be permitted to use my experience, I say to
the beloved children of God, Be satisfied with nothing short of this,
that you are going on in the self-same decided way for God as you did
at the beginning. Continue to keep on the armor of God, and say, By
His grace I will stand.
Let it never be said of you, That man began well, and has not gone on
well. Let it be so that any who knew us in 1830, and now sees us in
1875, can say of us, Well, after forty-five years have passed away, that
man is as decided as ever. I ask myself, and answer it as before God,
and I ask you, my brethren also, to answer before God, How is it with
us? Are you as decided as at the beginning? If not, there is
something wrong. Having been very decided for God is not enough;
we must be so still, even continually; ever resisting the powers of
darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. Let us, then, never
settle down at ease to enjoy the victory. That is never the case in this
world. There is no permanent victory here; it is far off in yonder
world, in the bright blessed eternity which is awaiting us. We shall
have victory and rest there, but here, in this life, we have to fight—
fight on in the conflict of life.
Now let us consider the armor itself.
“HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH.”
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To most of you, my dear Christian friends, I scarcely need to say, that
we have here to keep before us, not the common English soldier with
his firearms and modern equipment, but soldiers as they were in
those early days, and especially the Roman soldiers. The nature of
their armor and warfare we have to keep before us.
Now at that time it was a matter of great importance to the soldiers
to have a girdle to gird themselves. By means of this girdle the
soldier braced himself for the march and the conflict. The clothes
were thus tied close to the body, in order that the soldier might not
be hindered in his marching, nor in his fighting, as the fighting
often consisted in one man fighting against another man.
Now, in the spiritual conflict, what have we for a girdle? It is the
truth of God. This brings before us the fact, that, just in the measure
in which we hold the blessed truths of God’s word, so in measure,
and only so in measure, are we ready for the conflict.
Every particle of error hinders us in our spiritual conflict. We are
helped in the measure in which we adhere to the truth of God. And
while the temptation in the case of the young disciple may be to say,
“I know I am a child of God, and that Jesus Christ has saved me,
therefore what does it matter whether I understand this or that
particular truth or not, or this or that particular doctrine or not,” yet
it is a matter of great moment. Because, in such a degree as we
understand the truth, so shall we be able to stand in the hour of
conflict, and so much the less shall we be hindered in this our
conflict.
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We ought to hold the truth in all its parts—every particle of the truth
as revealed to us; and we ought not to have our favorite parts, and
only those of God’s word to which we pay particular attention, to the
neglect of other equally important parts. And just in proportion as
we seek to know the whole revealed truth, so shall we be
strengthened, as with a girdle, for the conflict.
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
This part of the armor of a Roman soldier was generally made of a
piece of iron or brass, and which particularly covered and protected
the vital parts, such as the heart, lungs, and liver. A very important
thing, then, was the “breast plate,” or piece of iron or brass, covering,
as it did, the vital parts of the Roman soldier. Now, we have to ask
ourselves, in connection with this, What is this? What have we for a
breast-plate to protect us?
One or another says, we must live a righteous life. True, we have to
seek to live a righteous life; but this is not the point here. It is this,
that we seek continually, as poor weak sinners, to hide ourselves in
the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this spiritual conflict there is nothing so important, as that from
the very beginning of the spiritual course, we begin as poor
miserable sinners, trusting alone in the righteousness of Christ,—
the righteousness which the Blessed One has wrought out for
sinners, the righteousness in which alone we trust before God. This
the only ground on which we expect God to help us, to answer our
prayers, and deliver us from the difficulties with which we meet in
our spiritual conflict.
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THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.
It is, then, deeply important to see that we are poor sinners,
miserable and weak in ourselves, but that Jesus is our all and in all;
not only thus at the beginning, but thus we must go on; not only two
or three years, not even five, ten, or twenty years, and then trust in
our own merits, but that we continue as long as we live to depend
solely on the righteousness of Christ. It is not only at our conversion
that this is so deeply important, when we are made new creatures
and enter upon this warfare; but it is equally important at all times
in our spiritual life. So that when the devil says—as he will say—“Do
you expect to get to heaven, you miserable sinner? You do not
deserve it; look at what you have done! No such thing; you need not
expect it, you will not get there.” When he says that, what is the
answer to be? “It is true that I have sinned; yet for Christ Jesus’ sake
—poor miserable sinner as I am—in His righteousness, I shall yet be
in heaven.” What is the result of this? You rise!
The devil seems to have you down, and seeks to give you your death
blow; yet you rise! He seems to have obtained the mastery over you,
and yet you rise again, because you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and
not in self, and you stand before God not in yourself, but in Christ.
And though a poor miserable sinner, yet through Jesus, who makes
you clean in His blood, you know you will get to heaven at last.
When you thus go to Christ, and take refuge in His righteousness, the
devil is outwitted. Therefore remember particularly to have on this
breastplate.
If the Roman soldier had not put on his breastplate how easily he
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would have been cut down when his breast was unprotected. So it is
with us; it is important that we should put on “the breastplate of
righteousness.”
“YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION
OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.”
What is the meaning of this? I invited you last Tuesday evening, to
meditate on these verses; you may have considered it, but now
consider it again with me. What is the meaning of this—“your feet
shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”?
These soldiers, of whom we have been speaking, did not go barefooted
into the battle; for if so, and it were man wrestling against
man, how easily they might slip and fall down while fighting one
against the other. Neither did they wear sandals, which would not
have afforded full protection to the feet. The common thing amongst
these soldiers was to wear strong boots.
Many of my friends may remember the name of one of the Roman
emperors, Caligula, which means, “little boot.” He was called thus
because he became a soldier when very young, and his feet were so
small that none of the ordinary soldiers’ boots would suit him, and
he had to have little boots made on purpose for him. I simply remind
you of this to show that the common practice amongst the soldier
was, to wear boots, in order that they might be the better helped with
regard to their warfare.
Boots also were of especial importance, on account of marching. The
roads at that time were rough and rugged, and thus these boots were
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of great service in the war, as they had to march in rank against the
enemy. And so our spiritual boots protect us when on the rough
march of life, as also in the hour of conflict. We, who are the children
of God, have a provision made for us in this respect, and it is the
gospel of peace which God has provided for us, that we may be able
to march homewards through the rough paths of life, and even to
stand in the hour of conflict.
What is this preparation of the gospel of peace? It means, we are the
children of God, and we are no longer at enmity with God, but are at
peace with Him. Our sins are forgiven in the Lord Jesus Christ. God
is well pleased with us for Christ, His dear Son’s sake; and we, having
no longer any fear, are at peace with God.
That is the preparation of the gospel of peace, with regard to our
spiritual conflict and also with regard to our homeward march. Hold
it fast; although thou art a poor, miserable sinner, yet thou art
forgiven for Christ’s sake. ‘Through whom we have the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Though I am a poor
miserable sinner, yet the heart of the Father loves me, and I am on
the road to heaven, where I shall certainly be at last.
Lot the child of God held fast this hope, and this persuasion of his so
rarity, as given in the simple statement of the gospel, and by this he
will be able to pursue his march heavenwards, and in the hour of
conflict he will be able to stand manfully.
All this by having the preparation of the gospel of peace! How
deeply important, then, to have clear views of God’s gospel, and that
we should receive it simply as the gospel, and not in any way mix it
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up with our own doings or experience. Some would seem to act as if
they are to do what they can, and, what they cannot, the Lord will do.
Far be it from us to have such thoughts. He and He alone must do all
for us. By His atoning death on the cross, He has borne the
punishment due to us for our sins, sins which deserved punishment
—and nothing but punishment—and has brought us to this blessed
hope and trust that all our sins are forgiven; that God is well pleased
with us for Christ’s sake, and that, sinners though we are, yet He now
delights in us for His dear Son’s sake, and He is willing to help us in
all our conflicts for Christ’s sake. Thus we experience that joy and
peace, which will help us on the march to heaven, and in the hour of
spiritual conflict. So then let us make much of this preparation of
the gospel of peace, which is spiritually the protection of our foot,
even as the old Roman soldiers were protected by their strong boots.
“ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked.” As the words stand here in our translation, one or the other
might suppose that those words “above all” indicate that it is of the
first importance to have this shield of faith. Now I do not at all
undervalue this shield of faith, but only to point out that this “above
all” does not mean that it is of more importance than the other parts
of the armor. The meaning of it is, “in addition to all;” that is, not
leaving it out.
We have already observed the importance of faith, but this again
brings it before us the deep importance of exercising faith; and this
not only on this particular point, or on the other particular point,
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ut our faith should be exercised on the whole revealed truth of God.
In regard to all that He has said as to this world, or the world to
come, as well as the first point, that of believing on His dear Son,
whom He hath sent into the world. We have to aim after this, that we
should increasingly and truly, and with child-like simplicity, seek to
take God at His Word. That is exercising faith, which is here called
the “shield of faith.”
Now in the case of the Roman soldiers, it was deeply important to be
protected by the shield. You all know how important this shield was
to ward off dangers, such as arrows and blows of the sword. But it
was also of great service in warding off darts. So in the spiritual
conflict this shield of faith is given, that the child of God should be
able to stand against the fiery darts of the wicked— that is the
wicked ones—the darts of Satan.
“FIERY DARTS.”
They are called fiery darts, because they are so painful and so
pernicious. We all know, in our own experience, the exceedingly
painful nature of these fiery darts, and the only way to overcome
them is by having the shield of faith. Exceedingly great temptations
are often met with, which tend to make us distrust the love and
power of our Father; and the only means of meeting these is by faith.
The best way to illustrate the meaning of faith, as applied to these
temptations, is just to give one or two instances.
For instance, here is a child of God: suppose that he has been
regenerated, and for some time has fought manfully against the evil
one, and the allurements of this world, But after a time, perhaps two
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or three years, he begins to be less watchful. What then? He goes
back again, and begins to love this present world, and soon the
temptation comes. “Well, I am afraid I shall not be successful, and
after all I shall lose the battle.” You all know that a child of God may
thus be tempted, and how wretched he will be, till he uses the shield
of faith to quench this fiery dart of doubt and mistrust. How shall we
use the shield of faith? It is stated regarding the children of God, “I
will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” This is true regarding all the
children of God; and it is true regarding you. How quickly, when this
is used with child-like simplicity, does it quench that fiery dart.
Or in the temptation which sometimes comes to the child of God,
when he is tempted to think that he may, after all, be lost; how does
the word of God suit this? Simply by believing what it declares,
“None shall be able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” I am one
of His sheep, and therefore I cannot be lost. How this will quench the
fiery darts of the devil, and give us joy instead of sorrow!
TEMPORAL TRIALS.
Now one or two points regarding temporal matters, where faith is
also of deep importance. Suppose one who has all his life earned his
bread by toil. He gets on towards sixty, and presently will be past it.
Now Satan begins to trouble him, and says. “You are getting old now;
soon there will be nothing remaining for you but the union or the
work-house.”
How wretched and miserable a child of God is made by this; but by
using the shield of faith he will be able to quench it. “If my Father
has cared for me when young, surely He will continue to care for me
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when old, and when sick, even as in the past. Or as He says in the
Word, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’” How quickly this
temptation will be quenched. I have seen many of God’s dear
children who were thus troubled.
AN ILLUSTRATION.
One instance I remember distinctly, although it occurred many years
ago. It was that of an aged widow, a child of God, who had lived very
consistently. She had worked hard with her hands in youth, and now
in her old age she began to say, I shall have to go to the workhouse.
She had some money which she had saved of her past earnings, and
she said, “When this is gone I can earn no more, and I shall have to
go to the union.” I sought to comfort her; I reminded her how God
had cared for her in the past, and how He had promised never to
leave her nor forsake her; and that as surely as she was a child of
God, so surely would He care for her; and that even some of His own
children would be led to assist her.
But still the temptation continued, and what was the end of it? Her
joy was marred completely for years; she was in deep trouble, simply
by this one thought. Yet see how it came to pass at last. One by one
the sovereigns were used, and at length it came to the last sovereign;
one shilling of it was spent, when the Lord took her to Himself, and
there was for her no such thing as the workhouse.
But see how she was losing her spiritual joy, and how her life and her
communion with God were marred by this one fiery dart; whereas, if
the shield of faith had been used, the devil would have been
confounded, and her last days would have been in peace. Therefore,
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let us use this shield of faith, with the revelation God has been
pleased to make of Himself, and we shall soon see the fiery darts of
the devil quenched, and have joy.
“AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION.”
In the parallel passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, it is, “for an helmet,
the hope of salvation.” So we have to understand it here, it is the
hope of our salvation that is to be our helmet.
All these parts of the armor were of great importance to the Roman
soldier; the girdle to bind, the breastplate to defend the vital parts,
the boots to protect the feet, and enable them to march firmly, the
shield to ward off blows; but although he had all these, there was yet
wanting one thing—the iron helmet. Without it, how soon would his
head, the most exposed and most tender part of his body, have been
injured or hurt. Therefore, the Roman soldier was also protected in
this part; his head was protected by the iron helmet.
Thus with the child of God; he has protection for his spiritually weak
parts, and it is just this—the hope of salvation. While on earth, we go
toiling amidst difficulties, and trials, and temptations. Often all
things seem to be against us, and not only the world, but sometimes
even the children of God turn their backs on us, and we are left
alone, comparatively speaking. Yet, in the midst of it all, there is
something unspeakably comforting in this, that makes the heart
joyous. What is it? It is “the hope of salvation,” the joy of looking
forward, and knowing that we shall be in heaven at last.
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It is this that keeps us up. The way at times may be very dark, but
then it is always a pilgrimage, which is day by day getting shorter as I
get nearer home. The journey is over towards home—nearer, nearer
home. It is this bright, blessed prospect of home, home, home—of
complete deliverance from sin and temptation, through the blood of
Christ Jesus, which strengthens us at such times. To know that we
shall be delivered from the old evil nature, to be brought into a state
in which the will of God is carried out by us continually, that the
mind of God shall be found in us, and that we shall be with the Lord
Jesus Christ, who is now at the right hand of God, and shall be like
Him—these are some of the bright, blessed prospects of the state to
which we are going.
Therefore my beloved brethren and sisters, especially the younger
ones, when temptation, trial, or difficulty come, and when all seems
going against us here, remember that this is not our home, and that
we must not expect to enjoy this present evil world. Then think of
the Father’s house where there are many mansions, and the bright,
blessed, and glorious prospect we have of that Father’s home, and
you will find there is not a better lever to lift us above the world than
just to contemplate heaven. Oh, make much of it! make much of it!
For fifty years I have know the Lord, and as grey hairs multiply, and
as, little by little, I am nearer and nearer, the prospect becomes
brighter and brighter; and during many years of sore conflict, trial,
and affliction this has cheered are exceedingly: “I shall soon be home
—soon be with my Lord.” Therefore make much of this hope, that,
even as the helmet protected the Roman soldier, so the hope of
salvation may protect you by the way.
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Now the last part of the armor:
“AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.”
All the other parts to which we have referred, were in order to
protect us from assaults; that of a defensive character. Now, here is
something to make an attack with—a weapon of an offensive
character, with which to march against the enemy, and to make
inroads on the powers of darkness,.
Not only as the children of God are we to know our weakness, we are
also to know and to act as those who have God on our side. One who
is both able and willing to help us in time of need; and we should go
right among the enemies, that we may pluck brands out of the fire, to
the praise, and honor, and glory of God.
Beloved fellow Christians, it is the will of the Lord, that we should
not only defend ourselves, but that we should also resolutely seek to
win souls, and rescue poor sinner, from the snares of the devil, and
bring them to the Lord Jesus Christ. For both of these ends there is
nothing like the weapon used by our Savior himself when tempted,
“It is written”; that is, the use of the word of God.
And in order that we may be able to use it to good purpose, we must
study it, as I observed last week, readily and prayerfully, with
meditation, and with simple faith, and with self-application. Do not
let us reason, but learn ever to take God at His word with child-like
simplicity and when occasion arises bring it out against the devil.
Then he will not be able to stand.
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This word, the word of God is also to be used that we may win souls
for Christ; and not only with reference to them, but with reference to
our fellow disciples, that we may strengthen their hands, and
encourage their hearts against the powers of darkness. We can never
make too much of the word of God, which must be in our hands as a
sharp sword, “piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit.” It is the spiritual sword for the spiritual conflict.
“PRAYING AND WATCHING”
Lastly, “Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the
spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given
unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the
mystery of the gospel.”
It is not necessary to dwell on this last part, as I have spoken on it
again and again. Only this will I observe, that while all the other
points which have been referred to are deeply important, yet they
will not be successful unless they are coupled with prayer, constant
and believing prayer; for if we should attend to all the other things,
and put on the whole armor which God has provided for us, and yet
not pray, we shall find how weak and helpless we are.
Why is this? Though we are the children of God we are in ourselves
weak, and God will have us to recognize our helplessness in regard to
Himself. Therefore, as opportunity and time allow, let us give
ourselves to prayer. It is most important to have stated times for
prayer, and not to leave it to certain impressions. If we leave it to
feelings, you will find that you will be less and less inclined to prayer,
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and soon will be altogether without it; or, in other words, a poor
miserable sinner, without help in the conflict. Have certain times for
secret closet prayer, when by ourselves we pour out our souls before
God.
In connection with this, let us, as heads of families, have regular
family prayer, so that God shall be recognized in the family. As
children of God we should also seek to meet with other children of
God in prayer, such as prayer meetings. We ought to seek more and
more opportunities of fellowship in prayer, as, for instance, in the
daily prayer meeting in connection with this hall, when we have met
day by day to spread out our wants before Him, and to seek His
blessing on our united efforts for the Lord.
Now, my dear fellow believers, attend to these matters which we have
been considering, putting on the whole armor of God, accompanied
by prayer, and certain I am that you will be happy Christians, holy
Christians, and useful Christians. That is what I would desire with
regard to all my beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, that they all
should be happy Christians; and that they cannot be, except they
seek to act according to the mind of God. But acting thus, they will be
holy children, and if they walk in His ways and walk with Him, they
will also be useful children, as they will be living witnesses for God.
Not only so, but let them aim after being fruitful, bearing fruit thirty,
forty, or fifty-fold, and, it may be, sixty-fold. Having attained to this,
be not satisfied, but aim after sixty-five, or seventy-fold, and then it
might be, and there is no reason that it should not be, a hundredfold.
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May God help us so to live as to bring praise, honor, and glory to His
name while life is continued to us.
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THE SECRET OF PREVAILING PRAYER.
I DESIRE, beloved Christian friends, to bring before you, for
encouragement in prayer, a precious instance in which an answer to
united supplication is given, as we have it recorded by the Holy
Ghost, in Acts 12.
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex
certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with
the sword.” This was the first apostle who became a martyr for
Christ. Stephen had previously been stoned, but he was not an
apostle. This one was an apostle.
SATAN’S POWER, LIMITED.
“And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take
Peter also.” Now Peter, indeed, seems to be at death’s gate; but the
Lord said, “Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther.” This we have to
keep before us, that Satan, though he hates us, can go no farther than
the Lord gives him liberty.
The most striking instance of this, we find in the case of Job. Satan
had tried to get at him, but was unable to do so; and at last he has to
make confession before Jehovah, “Hast thou not made a hedge about
him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?”
Satan had tried to get at him, but by reason of the hedge he was
unable to get at the person or substance of Job. It was only by the
permission of Jehovah, and when this hedge was removed, that he
was able to get at the substance of Job. And even still, the hedge was
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around the person of Job, and not until this hedge had been
removed, was he able to touch the person of Job. Though we must
never lose sight of the fact that on the one hand Satan may be, and
often is, powerful to hurt us, yet on the other hand, He that is with us
is more powerful still, and Satan can do nothing without the
permission of Jehovah.
“And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and
delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him.” He was
delivered to sixteen soldiers—four little companies of four soldiers
each, who were to be responsible for him; so that there might be two
inside, and two outside, and so always some to take care of him. Thus
it seemed to be utterly impossible that he could escape. “Intending
after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” It is called Easter here,
but there was no such thing as Easter then. It was the feast of
unleavened bread.
“Peter, therefore, was kept in prison; but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him.” See we have prayer in
church capacity. The saints at Jerusalem meeting together, and
giving themselves to prayer, and from what we see afterwards, it was
“PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING.”
There was always some little band at prayer—“prayer was made
without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
They did not say, Now we will send a petition to Herod to let him go.
They might have sent in such a petition, for by this time there were
thousands in Jerusalem who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. They
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were a formidable company by that time; and if they had all written
down their names to this petition they might have succeeded. And if
thus they did not succeed, they might have raised a large sum of
money. They were very willing to give their substance, to sell their
houses and lands for the poor of the church; and most certainly they
would have willingly done so for the deliverance of Peter. They did
not do this, though a most probable way of getting Peter delivered
would have been to have bribed some of Herod’s courtiers. Even in
this very chapter we find that when disunion had arisen in regard to
the men of Tyre and Sidon, some individuals bribed a courtier, the
king’s chamberlain, and thus made peace. Therefore it might
possibly have succeeded if they had done so. But none of these
things did they use; they gave themselves to prayer. And that, my
beloved friends, is the best weapon they could have used. There is not
a more blessed and powerful weapon for the children of God, than
that they should give themselves to prayer. For thus they can have
the power of God on their side—the almighty power of God. And by
making use of this power, through the instrumentality of prayer in
all things we need, we can have the infinite wisdom of God brought
to work for us, and have God Himself at our side, as children of God.
Therefore we should seek to make a far better use than ever we have
done of prayer. And you, my beloved Christian friends, who are in
the habit of meeting often at the noonday prayer meeting, expect
great things at the hands of God; look out for wondrous blessings,
and you will find, how ready He is to give those things which we ask
for. This, then, these saints at Jerusalem did—they gave themselves
to prayer without ceasing. That is, they believed that though Herod
had apprehended him for the purpose of slaying him, and though
this Herod was a notoriously wicked man, as we all know, yet God
was able to deliver him from this bloodthirsty Herod. They believed
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that nothing was too hard for God to accomplish, and therefore they
prayed without ceasing.
WAITING FOR THE ANSWER.
Now, notice, we do not know how long Peter was in prison, but it is an
obvious and natural inference that he had been apprehended before
those days of unleavened bread; as after these days his execution was
to take place, and, therefore, at least he was in prison seven days.
Now, it was not on the first day that the prayer was answered. They
met together and prayed,—prayed earnestly; but the first day, hour
by hour, passed away, and yet Peter was in prison. The second day,
and again they are found waiting on God in prayer. Still, hour by
hour, the second day passed, and yet he was not delivered. And so the
third, and fourth, and fifth days, passed away. They are still waiting
on God; prayer is made without ceasing; yet this holy man remained
in prison; and there seemed to be no prospect of God answering
their prayers.
And thus, beloved friends, you and I shall find again and again that
the answer is delayed; and the question is, shall we give up praying,
or shall we continue? The temptation is to cease praying, as though
we had given up hope, and to say, “It is useless; we have already
prayed so long that it is useless to continue.” This is just what Satan
would have us say; but let us persevere and go on steadily praying,
and be assured that God is both able and willing to do it for us; and
that it is the very joy and delight of His heart, for Christ’s sake, to
give to us all things which are for the glory of His name, and our
good and profit. If we do so, He will give us our desire. As assuredly
as we are the children of God, if we pray perseveringly, and in faith,
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the prayer will be answered. Thus let us learn from this precious
instance regarding prayer, which the Holy Ghost has given for our
encouragement.
“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night
Peter was Sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and
the keepers before the door.” Mark, that the last night before his
execution is now come, and yet Peter is asleep. Not carelessly and
indifferently was he lying there, but calmly, quietly resting in the
arms of Jesus, and leaning on the bosom of his Lord. He is bound
with two chains, as the custom was, between two soldiers, one on the
one side and one on the other side, that he might not escape.
GOD’S MANNER OF ANSWERING THE PRAYER.
And now about the deliverance; we will see in what way God works.
“And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light
shined in the prison.” We should have said, this must be done in the
dark, and as quietly as possible. But see, the light came into the
prison. Humanly speaking, this would have wakened the soldiers;
but not thus with Jehovah; when He works, He can do His will,
notwithstanding all these things.
The angel “smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise
up quickly,” without any fear that in addressing Peter the soldiers
should be wakened.
“And as he rose, the chains fell from off his hands.” Still there was no
fear of arousing the soldiers.
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“Gird thyself.” There is no need to hurry; he is to be taken out, but is
to dress himself properly.
And now comes the strangest thing of all, “Bind on thy sandals.”
These wooden shoes must be bound on the feet. We should have said,
let him walk out without them, that no noise be made to awaken the
sleeping soldiers. Not thus; it was God who wrought the deliverance,
and when He works there is no need to fear, for who can withstand?
And so he did. And the angel saith unto him, “Cast thy garment
about thee.” His outer garment is to be put on. Everything, therefore,
is to be done in an orderly manner. It is as if Herod had sent a
messenger to deliver him; he is to go quietly forth.
“When they were past the first and second ward.” The eyes of the
keepers were miraculously shut.
But now they come to “the iron gate.” Many, many times do we come
to some such iron gate. He was now out of the prison, and past the
soldiers who were watching, but now he comes to this great iron gate.
How shall he got out of prison after all? And so it is with you and me
at times. Everything seems prepared, and difficulties have been
removed; and yet, after all, there seems to be one great obstacle
which is insurmountable. Can we escape? Yes; God is able to open the
iron gate for you and for me, even as He caused the great iron gate of
the prison to open of its own accord. Let us expect everything from
God, and He will do it, if it is for His glory, and our good and profit.
THE UNCHANGEABLE POWER OF GOD.
But can He do miraculous things in the latter part of the nineteenth
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century? Yes, as well as He could in the middle of the first century.
Let us never say this was in the days of the Apostles, and we cannot
expect such things now. Quite true, that God does not commonly
work miracles; but He can if He will, and let us give glory to His
name, that if He does not work miracles it is because He can and does
do His will by ordinary means. He can accomplish His ends in many
ways. Let us never lose heart in such circumstances; He has the same
power as ever He had. Many think if they were living in the days of
Elijah, or in the days of Elisha, or in the days of the Apostles, they
would expect these things; but because they do not live in those days,
but in the latter part of the nineteenth century, therefore they
cannot expect to have such answers to prayer. This is wrong;
remember, that God has the same power as in the days of the
prophets of old, or of the Apostles of old; therefore let us only look
for great blessings, and great blessings will be bestowed on us, my
beloved friends in Christ.
“They passed through one street, and forthwith the angel departed
from him.” This contains an important spiritual truth—it is this,
that God does not work miracles when they are not needed. The
angel was sent to deliver Peter from prison; but Peter was now in the
streets, and he knew very well the streets of Jerusalem. He had been
living there, and he knew all about them; and it was not, therefore,
necessary that the angel should lead him through the streets, and
bring him to the house where he was going. Therefore as soon as he
was outside the prison, and no more supernatural help was required,
the angel departed from him.
THE DELIVERANCE EFFECTED.
“And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a
Page 82

surety that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out
of the hands of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of
the Jews.” He wist not that it was true at first, and thought that it
must be a vision, but now that he finds himself in the streets, he
knows that God has indeed delivered him.
“And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of
Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many
were gathered together praying.” Notice this, “many were gathered
praying.” For what purpose? For Peter’s deliverance unquestionably;
because prayer was made by the church on his behalf without
ceasing. Though it was the night before his execution, they did not
lose heart. It is to be next day; to the eye of man the case seems
hopeless, but they still come together to pray. Therefore they had not
only begun well, but they had also gone on well; they had continued
in prayer.
“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to
hearken, named Rhoda.” Her name is given. Why so? When this was
written down, inquiry might be made as to the truth of the account.
The damsel, probably, was then living, and thus opportunity for this
inquiry was afforded. “And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened
not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before
the gate.”
Here we find a description to the very life. What shall we say? The
damsel heard his voice and knew it; she knew they were praying for
Peter’s deliverance; her heart was so glad that first of all she runs to
tell that Peter stood at the door. She could not open the door. Now
what do we expect to hear out of the mouths of those beloved
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ethren in Christ, those holy men who have been waiting upon God
day after day? Surely it will be praise. “They said unto her, Thou art
mad.”
FAILING FAITH.
Ah! there it is which shows what we are. “Thou art mad.” I specially
seek in bringing this before you this morning, that we may learn
what we are naturally. They had begun well, and had gone on well,
yet failed completely in the end. They had faith at the first, and
exercised faith, but had no faith in the end. Let us be warned,
beloved friends; that is just what we must seek to avoid. It is
comparatively easy for us to begin well and to go on well, day after
day, week after week, month after month; but it is difficult to remain
faithful to the end. Even thus it was, beloved Christian friends,
regarding those of whom we are quite ready to say, “we are not
worthy to unloose their shoes;” and if they failed, what of us? What
say they? “Thou art mad.” They are praying for the thing, and it
comes; yet this is what they say. Those men had begun in faith, had
gone on in faith, and yet it is gone. They had continued outwardly to
wait upon God, but at last without expectation. If they had continued
in faith, they would have said when they heard the tidings, “Blessed
be God; let His holy name be praised!” It could not have been
otherwise, if they had been waiting to the end for the blessing; and
since it was not so, it is a plain proof that faith was gone. I am as
certain of this as though an audible voice had told me from heaven.
It would have been impossible for them to say to that dear, godly
young woman, “Thou art mad,” when she brought the news of Peter’s
deliverance, unless faith had been gone. This, however, is what we
say naturally, “Thou art mad.”
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IF WE ASK LET US BE LOOKING FOR THE ANSWER.
“But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is
his angel. But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened
the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” Another proof that
they were wanting in faith at that time, “they were astonished.” True
faith is thus known, that when we begin in faith, and continue in
faith, we are not astonished when the answer comes. For instance,
suppose any of you, my Christian friends, have beloved 7 sons or
daughters who are unconverted in America, or in Australia, or in
New Zealand, for whom you have been praying long. At last you get a
letter, stating that at such-and-such a time they have been brought to
the Lord. The test, whether you have been praying in faith or not, is,
if say when the letter comes, “The Lord be praised for it,” and you
receive the tidings gladly; then you have been exercising faith. But if
not, if you begin to question whether it is real, can it be the case?
Then by this you know you have not been exercising faith; you have
not been expecting your request to be granted. If I may use a phrase
in the right sense, although one of the world’s phrases, the world
says of certain things, “We take it as a matter of course.” So, in a
spiritual sense, we should be so confident that God will bless, and
that He will do for us in answer to prayer what we ask, that when it
comes, we should still be so confident as to say, like the world, “we
take it as a matter of course; it could not be otherwise; the thing must
come, because God has pledged Himself, for Christ’s sake, to give the
blessing.”
“But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace,
declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of prison.
And he said, Go show these things unto James and to the brethren;
and he departed, and went into another place.
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Five Conditions of Prevailing Prayer
1—Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord
Jesus Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing.
John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
2—Separation from all known sin. If we regard iniquity in our
hearts, the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin. (Ps.
66:18.)
3—Faith in God's word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to
believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer. (Heb. 11:6;
6:13-20.)
4—Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly:
we must not seek any gift of God to consume it upon our lusts (I John
5:14; James 4:3.)
5—Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and
waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the
harvest. (James 5:7; Luke 18:1-8.) Answers to Prayer from George Müller's Narratives 1897.
Page 86

How to Know the Will of God
by George Müller
1.—I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has
no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the
trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are
overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's Will, whatever
it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way
to the knowledge of what His will is.
2.—Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple
impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3.—I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection
with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If
I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great
delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it
according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
4.—Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often
plainly indicate God's Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
5.—I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.
6.—Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and
reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of
my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and
continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly.
In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important
issues, I have found this method always effective.
Answers to Prayer from George Müller's Narratives 1897
Page 87

CARRY THE LIGHT PRESENTS
George Müller and the Secret
of His Power in Prayer
By Andrew Murray
GEORGE MULLER AND THE SECRET OF HIS POWER IN PRAYER
eBOOK Link: https://bit.ly/2FbpWXw
Page 88

GEORGE MÜLLER Movie, Books & Sermons
George Muller Movie: https://bit.ly/2F2ziET
George Muller of Bristol, by Arthur T. Pierson https://bit.ly/2SMRhC7
Answers to Prayer, from George Müller's Narratives
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25891
Books/Audio Resources: www.georgemuller.org
George Muller Foundation: www.mullers.org/
https://www.audiosermon.net/george-mueller
https://www.chapellibrary.org/files/4414/2835/2242/gmca.pdf
https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpmueller.html
Geore Muller video: https://youtu.be/BAAndgcE120
https://www.chapellibrary.org/files/4414/2835/2242/gmca.pdf
https://www.chapellibrary.org/files/3214/0259/3184/gmmj.pdf
http://www.tracts.ukgo.com/george_muller.html
http://www.tracts.ukgo.com/muller_counsel_to_christians_ch9.pdf
http://www.tracts.ukgo.com/muller_counsel_to_christians_ch11.pdf
Page 89

http://www.tracts.ukgo.com/muller_counsel_to_christians_ch12.pdf
Address to Young Converts provided by CTL.Today
and https://www.georgemuller.org/
CTL.Today eBooks: https://www.smore.com/r1zkx
The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal:
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Page 90

George Muller Quotes
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.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of
true faith is the end of anxiety.
In order to enjoy the Word, we ought to continue to read it, and the
way to obtain a spirit of prayer, is, to continue praying; for the less
we read the Word of God, the less we desire to read it, and the less we
pray, the less we desire to pray.
We should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be
tried. The more I am in a position to be tried in faith, the more I will
have the opportunity of seeing God’s help and deliverance. Every
fresh instance in which He helps and delivers me will increase my
faith. The believer should not shrink from situations, positions, or
circumstances in which his faith may be tried, but he should
cheerfully embrace them as opportunities to see the hand of God
stretched out in help and deliverance. Thus his faith will be
strengthened.
I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary
business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul
happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not,
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how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but
how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man
may be nourished...I saw that the most important thing I had to do
was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to
meditation on it.
There was a day when I died; died to self, my opinions, preferences,
tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the
approval or blame even of my brethren or friends; and since then I
have studied only to show myself approved unto God.I live in the
spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I
rise up. And the answers are always coming.
The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.
It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough
to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly,
continue in prayer until we obtain an answer; and further we have
not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to
believe that God does hear us, and will answer our prayers. Most
frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is
obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.
Here is the great secret of success. Work with all your might; but
trust not in the least in your work. Pray with all your might for the
blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all diligence, with
all patience, with all perseverance. Pray then, and work. Work and
pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on all the days of
your life. The result will surely be, abundant blessing. Whether you
see much fruit or little fruit, such kind of service will be blessed.
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God delights to increase the faith of His children. We ought, instead
of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be
willing to take them from God's hands as a means. Trials, obstacles,
difficulties and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.
God not only orders our steps, He orders our stops.
Never give up praying until the answer comes.
The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place
held by the Bible in our life and thoughts." - George Muller
SCRIPTURE TEXTS THAT MOULDED GEORGE MÜLLER
By ARTHUR T. PIERSON
CERTAIN marked Scripture precepts and promises had such a
singular influence upon this man of God, and so often proved the
guides to his course, that they illustrate Psalm cxix. 105:
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path."
Those texts which, at the parting of the way, became to him God's
signboards, showing him the true direction, are here given, as nearly
as may be in the order in which they became so helpful to him. The
study of them will prove a kind of spiritual biography, outlining his
career. Some texts, known to have been very conspicuous in their
influence, we put in capitals. The italics are his own.
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"GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN
SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT
PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." (John iii. 16.)
"Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his
arm." (Jeremiah xvii. 5.)
"O, fear the Lord, ye His saints; for there is no want to them that fear
Him." (Psa. xxxiv. 9.)
"Owe no man anything, but to love one another." (Rom. xiii. 8.)
"SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS
RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED
UNTO YOU." (Matt. vi. 33.)
"The holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
salvation." (2 Tim. iii. 15.)
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he
that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened." (Matt. vii. 7, 8.)
"WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN MY NAME, THAT WILL I DO,
THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON: IF YE SHALL
ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME I WILL DO IT." (John xiv. 13, 14.)
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"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall
eat, and what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what ye shall put
on.... Take, therefore, no thought for the morrow." (Matt. vi. 25-34.)
"If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." (John vii.
17.)
"If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John viii.
31, 32.)
"And the eunuch said, See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be
baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of Gad. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and
the eunuch, and he baptized him." (Acts viii, 36-38.)
"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by
baptism into death." (Rom. vi. 3, 4.)
"Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to
break bread." (Acts xx. 7.)
"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of
glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly
a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a
man in vile raiment; and ye have respect unto him that weareth the
gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say
to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool, are ye
Page 95

not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil
thoughts?" (James ii. 1-6.)
"Having, then, gifts differing according to the grace that is given
us." (Rom. xii. 6.)
"All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every
man severally as he will." (1 Cor. xii. 11.)
"Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your
account." (Philip, iv. 17.)
"Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall
drink; nor yet for your body what ye shall put on.".... "Behold the
fowls of the air.... Consider the lilies of the field.... For your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." (Matt. vi. 25-32.)
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." (Matt. vi. 19.)
"SELL THAT YE HAVE AND GIVE ALMS." (Luke xii. 33.)
"A man can receive nothing except it be given him from
heaven." (John iii. 27.)
"Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to
take out of them a people for His name." (Acts xv. 14. Comp. Matt.
xiii. 24-30, 36-43.)
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come....
Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and
being deceived." (2 Tim. iii. 1, 13.)
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"Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing." (2 Cor. vi. 14-18.)
"Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of
hosts." (Zech. iv. 6.)
"MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE." (2 Cor. xii. 9.)
"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Let
every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God." (1 Cor. vii.
20, 24.)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness." (2 Tim. iii. 16.)
"OPEN THY MOUTH WIDE, AND I WILL FILL IT." (Psa. lxxxi. 10.)
"Mine hour is not yet come." (John ii. 4.)
"He took a child, and set him in the midst of them; and when He had
taken him in His arms, He said unto them, Whosoever shall receive
one of such children in My name, receiveth Me; and whosoever shall
receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me." (Mark ix. 36, 37.)
"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men." (Rom. xii. 18.)
"For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure;
but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
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grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Heb. xii. 10,
11.)
"WHAT THINGS SOEVER YE DESIRE, WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE
THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, AND YE SHALL HAVE THEM." (Mark xi.
24.)
"He that believeth on Him shall not be confounded." (1 Pet. ii. 6.)
"O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come." (Psa. lxv.
2.)
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath
done for my soul." (Psa. lxvi. 16.)
"A FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS." (Psa. lxviii. 5.)
"My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord; neither be
weary of His correction." (Prov. iii. 11.)
"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that
fear Him." (Psa. ciii. 13.)
"JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO-DAY, AND FOR
EVER." (Heb. xiii. 8.)
"To-morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." "Sufficient
unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matt, vi. 34.)
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"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." (1 Sam. vii. 12.)
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good:"
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him!" (Psalm xxxiv. 8.)
"All the fat is the Lord's." (Lev. iii. 16.)
"I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me." (Psa. xl. 17.)
"Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of
thine heart." (Psa. xxxvii. 4.)
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." (Psa.
lxvi. 18.)
"Know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: The
Lord will hear when I call unto Him." (Psa. iv. 3.)
"JEHOVAH JIREH." (The Lord will provide.) (Gen. xxii. 14.)
"HE HATH SAID, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE;
SO THAT WE MAY BOLDLY SAY, THE LORD IS MY HELPER." (Heb.
xiii. 5, 6.)
"Be thou not one of them that strike hands, or of them that are
sureties for debts." (Prov. xxii. 26.)
"He that hateth suretyship is sure." (Prov. xi. 15.)
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"I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more
abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." (2 Cor. xii. 15.)
"Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. iii. 26.)
"CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM FOR HE CARETH FOR
YOU." (1 Pet. v. 7.)
"Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Phil.
iv. 6.)
"Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest
see the glory of God?" (John xi. 40.)
"WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO
THEM THAT LOVE GOD." (Rom. viii. 28.)
"Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. xviii. 25.)
"Of such (little children) is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. xix. 14.)
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,
how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. viii.
32.)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." (James i. 17.)
"The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the
Lord shall not want any good thing." (Psa. xxxiv. 10.)
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"There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal
soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also
himself." (Prov. xi. 24, 25.)
"Give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your
bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you again." (Luke vi. 38.)
"The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he
stand." (Isa. xxxii. 8.)
"For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye
may do them good. (Mark xiv. 7.)
"Let not then your good be evil spoken of." (Rom. xiv. 16.)
"Let your moderation (yieldingness) be known unto all men." (Phil.
iv. 5.)
"MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS
TEMPTATIONS (i.e. TRIALS); KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING
OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE. BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE
HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE,
WANTING NOTHING." (James i. 2-4.)
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
thy paths." (Prov. iii. 5,6.)
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"The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness
of transgressors shall destroy them." (Prov. xi. 3.)
"Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be
established." (Prov. xvi. 3.)
"For I say through the grace given unto me, to every man that is
among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man
the measure of faith." (Rom. xii. 3.)
"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord." (Psa. xxvii. 14.)
"After he had patiently endured he obtained the promise." (Heb. vi.
15.)
"VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK
THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE WILL GIVE IT YOU." (John xvi. 23.)
"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which
soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2 Cor. ix. 6.)
"Ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. vi. 20.)
"THEY THAT KNOW THY NAME WILL PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE:
FOR THOU, LORD, HAST NOT FORSAKEN THEM THAT TRUST
THEE." (Psa. ix. 10.)
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"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee,
because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the
Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." (Isa. xxvi. 3, 4.)
"If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man
hath and not according to that he hath not." (2 Cor viii. 12.)
"BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE
WORK OF THE LORD, FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR
LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD." (1 Cor. xv. 58.)
"Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if
we faint not." (Gal. vi. 9.)
"Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them
that fear Thee; which Thou 'hast wrought for them that trust in Thee
before the sons of men!" (Psa. xxxi. 19.)
"THOU ART GOOD AND DOEST GOOD." (Psa. cxix. 68.)
"I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in
faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Psa. cxix. 75.)
"My times are in Thy hand." (Psa. xxxi. 15.)
"The LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and
glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk
uprightly." (Psa. lxxxiv. 11.)
"Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe." (Psa. cxix. 117.)
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"Behold I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man
according as his work shall be." (Rev. xxii. 12.)
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts xx. 35.)
"Give us this day our daily bread." (Matt. vi. 11.)
"Able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think." (Eph. iii.
20.)
"Them that honour Me I will honour." (1 Sam. ii. 30.)
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto
praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1
Peter i. 7.)
OBEDIENCE.
Every instance of obedience, from right motives, strengthens us spiritually,
whilst every act of disobedience weakens us spiritually.
SEPARATION UNTO GOD.
May the Lord grant that the eyes of many of His children may be opened, so
that they may seek, in all spiritual things, to be separated from unbelievers (2
Cor. vi. 14-18), and to do God's work according to God's mind!
CROSS-BEARING.
The Christian, like the bee, might suck honey out of every flower. I saw upon
a snuffer-stand in bas-relief, "A heart, a cross under it, and roses under
both." The meaning was obviously this, that the heart which bears the cross
for a time meets with roses afterwards.
~ George Muller ~
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