George Muller - Delighted In God

Many people have heard of George Muller and know of some of his exploits, but his story is one I've wanted to read for myself for some time. So I purchased a copy of George Muller: Delighted In God by Roger Steer. I found it a tale of incredible faith, with a man not unafraid to trust in God in remarkable ways. As a result, he did great exploits and his influence remains even today.

Muller was born in 1805 in Prussia. His youth was certainly misspent, but he became a Christian at the age of 20 and his life changed considerably - he even pondered becoming a missionary. Circumstances led him to London, then Devon where he got married. In 1832, he moved to Bristol to pastor a church. It was here he would spend most of his life.

Muller had a heart for orphans, especially those who had no living relatives and were destined for a life in Victorian workhouses. Starting with housing children in his own family home, the work grew over the years and more houses were needed. As these houses become full, custom made buildings were required as well. By 1870, more than 2,000 children were being accommodated in five homes.

The fascinating thing about this great work was how Muller funded it all. Muller simply prayed for any and all funding he required. One of his maxim's was that he would never tell any human what he needed, but would only tell God in prayer. On an almost daily basis, provision came to the orphanage work in the form of financial gifts and food that was needed for the children. Muller kept a diary that he recorded all prayer requests, answers and monetary gifts which gives us a first hand account of his incredible faith, and the amazing provision he experienced year after year. Some of the stories in the book are quite simply astounding.

Over the years, he never went into debt even thought the five homes cost £100,000 to build. On top of this, expenses such as utility bills, food, clothing and staff for the homes meant a considerable ongoing outlay, but one that was always provided for supernaturally. Muller not only housed the orphans, but educated them as well. As well as equipping each child with a simple trade for when they left his care, he also ensure they were taught in the areas of literacy, numeracy, Christianity and the sciences.

In 1875, Muller began a 17 year preaching tour around the world. He visited over 40 countries in this period and all in pre-flight times. Amazingly, Muller even met the President of the United States. Muller died peacefully in 1898 aged 92 and left behind a legacy that even today remains.

To read about a man who not only lived purely on faith, but also did such a significant work was not only incredibly stirring, but also very challenging. It made me think about my own inability to trust God in areas of my life. Muller was convinced about the goodness, kindness and faithfulness of God and so through prayer alone wanted to demonstrate this to the world in his own life, and through the work of the orphanage. This books shows us Muller's faith was in some ways so simple yet amazingly deep - but absolutely effective. If you want to be challenged in the areas of faith, trusting God and supernatural provision, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It showed me what an extraordinary God could do with an ordinary man who simply took Him at His word.