Trusting God: The Legacy of George Mueller

Devotional

Day 1: Trust Beyond Effort

In the life of George Mueller, we see a profound example of trusting in God beyond our own efforts. Mueller's approach to his work was characterized by diligent labor, yet he placed his ultimate trust in God's ability to bless and make his work fruitful. This principle challenges us to shift our reliance from self to God, recognizing that true success comes from His blessing. Mueller's life was a testament to the power of prayer and faith, as he cared for over 10,000 orphans without ever soliciting funds, relying solely on prayer and God's provision. His words, "Work as if everything depended upon our diligence and yet not to rest in the least upon our exertions but upon the blessing of the Lord," encapsulate this principle. [05:24]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you relying solely on your own efforts? How can you begin to trust God more in this area today?

Day 2: Divine Origin and Outcome

Trusting God involves acknowledging that He is the source of both the origin and outcome of our work. George Mueller's life exemplifies this trust, as he believed that God provided the strength and ability to perform his tasks. By recognizing that our abilities and opportunities come from God, we are freed from the burden of self-reliance. This trust liberates us from the pressures of both the origin and outcome of our labors, allowing God to receive all the glory. As we devise "large and liberal things" for the cause of Christ, we must remain aware of the perils of pride and self-reliance, trusting God for both the strength to work and the results of our efforts. [11:40]

1 Chronicles 29:12-13 (ESV): "Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name."

Reflection: What is one task or project you are currently working on? How can you acknowledge God's role in both the origin and outcome of this work?

Day 3: Prayer as Trust, Not Laziness

George Mueller's life demonstrates that prayer is not a substitute for work but a declaration of trust in God. Prayer signifies reliance on divine provision rather than human effort, reinforcing the importance of prayer in our daily lives. Mueller's approach to prayer was not one of laziness but of active trust, as he consistently sought God's guidance and provision for his work with orphans. This perspective challenges us to view prayer as an essential part of our work, inviting God into every aspect of our lives and trusting Him to provide for our needs. [10:38]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine as an act of trust in God's provision?

Day 4: God's Glory in Our Service

Serving in the strength that God supplies ensures that He receives the glory. This perspective aligns our work with God's purpose, transforming our labor into an act of worship and devotion. George Mueller's life was a testament to this principle, as he served tirelessly in the strength that God provided, ensuring that God received the glory for his work with orphans. By serving in God's strength, we acknowledge that our abilities and opportunities are gifts from Him, and we offer our work as an act of worship, giving Him the glory in all things. [13:03]

1 Peter 4:11 (ESV): "Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: In what ways can you serve others this week in a manner that ensures God receives the glory?

Day 5: A Kind Master

God is a kind master who enables and blesses us as we act according to His will. This understanding encourages us to view our work as a partnership with God, where He provides both the calling and the means to fulfill it. George Mueller's life exemplifies this partnership, as he relied on God's provision and guidance in his work with orphans. By recognizing God as a kind master, we are invited to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving Him, knowing that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. [16:34]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Reflection: How can you view your work as a partnership with God, trusting Him to provide both the calling and the means to fulfill it?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on the life and legacy of George Mueller, we are reminded of the profound impact one can have when fully trusting in God. Born in Germany in 1805, Mueller's life was a testament to unwavering faith and dedication. He founded the Scripture Knowledge Institute, which focused on education, Bible distribution, missionary support, and caring for orphans. By the time of his death, he had cared for over 10,000 orphans without ever soliciting funds, relying solely on prayer and God's provision.

Mueller's life exemplifies the principle of working diligently while placing trust not in one's efforts but in God. He believed in laboring with all one's might yet resting in the assurance that only God's blessing can make those efforts fruitful. This principle is encapsulated in his own words: "Work as if everything depended upon our diligence and yet not to rest in the least upon our exertions but upon the blessing of the Lord."

The challenge for us is to devise "large and liberal things" for the cause of Christ, as Mueller did, while being aware of the perils of pride and self-reliance. We are called to trust God not only for the outcomes of our work but also for the very strength and ability to perform that work. This trust liberates us from the burdens of both the origin and outcome of our labors, allowing God to receive all the glory.

Scripture supports this approach, as seen in Proverbs 21:31, Psalm 20:7, and Philippians 2:12-13, which remind us that while we prepare and labor, ultimate success and strength come from the Lord. By serving in the strength that God supplies, we ensure that He receives the glory in all things.

As we strive to follow Mueller's example, let us remember that God is a kind master, enabling us to do His will and blessing us as we act according to His purpose. In doing so, we find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, leading us to a life of joy and fulfillment in His service.

Key Takeaways

1. Trust Beyond Effort: While we are called to work diligently, our trust should not be in our efforts but in God's ability to bless and make our work fruitful. This principle challenges us to shift our reliance from self to God, recognizing that true success comes from His blessing. [05:24]
2. Divine Origin and Outcome: Trusting God involves not only the outcomes of our work but also the origin. God provides the strength and ability to perform our tasks, and acknowledging this frees us from the burden of self-reliance. [11:40]
3. Prayer as Trust, Not Laziness: Mueller's life shows that prayer is not a substitute for work but a declaration of trust in God. It signifies reliance on divine provision rather than human effort, reinforcing the importance of prayer in our daily lives. [10:38]
4. God's Glory in Our Service: Serving in the strength that God supplies ensures that He receives the glory. This perspective aligns our work with God's purpose, transforming our labor into an act of worship and devotion. [13:03]
5. A Kind Master: God is a kind master who enables and blesses us as we act according to His will. This understanding encourages us to view our work as a partnership with God, where He provides both the calling and the means to fulfill it. [16:34]
** [16:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Opening Prayer
[00:44] - Introduction to George Mueller
[01:26] - Founding the Scripture Knowledge Institute
[02:07] - Caring for Orphans
[02:33] - Missionary Work and Legacy
[03:07] - Financial Faith and Trust in God
[04:01] - Encouragement to Devise Large Things
[05:11] - Work Hard, Trust in God
[06:12] - Trust Beyond Effort
[07:47] - Biblical Foundations of Trust
[09:15] - Prayer and Work
[11:14] - Beyond Mueller: Trust in Origin and Outcome
[13:03] - Serving in God's Strength
[15:30] - Conclusion and Final Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Trusting God Like George Mueller

Bible Reading:

Proverbs 21:31 - "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord."
Psalm 20:7 - "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Observation Questions:

What were the five objectives of the Scripture Knowledge Institute founded by George Mueller? [01:26]
How did George Mueller manage to care for over 10,000 orphans without soliciting funds? [02:07]
According to the sermon, what is the key lesson from George Mueller's life regarding work and trust? [05:24]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between prayer and work in Mueller's life? [10:38]

Interpretation Questions:

How does Proverbs 21:31 illustrate the balance between human effort and divine intervention? What does this mean for believers today?
In what ways does Psalm 20:7 challenge believers to shift their trust from worldly resources to God? How might this look in practical terms?
How does Philippians 2:12-13 expand on the idea of God being involved in both the origin and outcome of our work? [11:40]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of prayer in demonstrating trust in God rather than in our own efforts? [10:38]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you relied more on your own efforts than on God's provision. How can you shift your trust to God in similar situations in the future? [05:24]
George Mueller devised "large and liberal things" for the cause of Christ. What is one ambitious goal you have for serving God, and how can you trust Him to bring it to fruition? [03:34]
Consider the balance between working diligently and trusting God for the results. How can you apply this principle in your current job or ministry? [05:11]
How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to reinforce your trust in God rather than in your own abilities? [10:38]
Identify an area in your life where you feel burdened by the outcome. How can you release this burden to God and trust Him for both the origin and outcome of your efforts? [11:14]
Reflect on the idea that God is a kind master who enables and blesses us. How does this perspective change the way you view your work and service to God? [16:34]
What specific steps can you take this week to ensure that God receives the glory in your work and service? [13:03]

Sermon Clips

"George Mueller was born in Germany in 1805, and he died in 1898. He was a follow-up specialist for D.L. Moody, and he preached in Spurgeon's Tabernacle, and he inspired Hudson Taylor in his missionary dreams. He preached in the same church for 66 years and lived out his life mainly in Bristol, England." [00:44:52]

"He founded what he called the Scripture Knowledge Institute. It had five what he called objects: one was to found schools abroad, two Bible distribution, three missionary support, four track distribution, and five, the one we know him for best, to use his own words, to board and clothe and scripturally educate destitute children who have lost both parents by death." [01:26:86]

"By the time he had died, he had cared for ten thousand twenty-four orphans. He did all of this while preaching three times a week, and when he turned seventy, he fulfilled a dream and became a missionary and for the next 17 years traveled to 42 countries preaching on an average once a day to about 3 million people total." [02:07:127]

"Work really hard morning till night, be a worker, and do not trust in your work, trust in God. Work really hard and don't trust in the work, trust in God. Now let me give you his own words, quote, 'This is one of the great secrets in connection with successful service of the Lord, to work as if everything depended upon our diligence, and yet not to rest in the least upon our exertions but upon the blessing of the Lord.'" [05:11:311]

"Mueller and his wife did not pray instead of work, they prayed because they didn't trust their work, they trusted God. Prayer isn't something that signifies laziness; it simply signifies what you trust. And I encourage you, trust God, but I want to go farther than Mueller, I want to go farther than Mueller tonight for you." [10:38:638]

"Work out your own salvation for it is God who is at work in you to will and to do his good pleasure. We work outwardly because God is at work inwardly. We trust him not just for the outcome of our labors but for the laborers themselves. I want to go beyond Mueller to lift off of you the burden of your own labor." [11:40:700]

"Let him who serves serve in the strength that God supplies so that in everything God will get the glory through Jesus Christ to whom belongs the dominion and the glory forever. Now did you hear the logic of that verse? Surely, I heard it in the oath that was taken just a moment ago." [13:03:783]

"God will bless me as long as he shall enable me to act according to his will in this matter. Is not that an amazing way to talk? God will bless me as long as he will enable me to do his will and thus qualify for the blessing, for from him and through him and therefore back to him be the glory." [14:34:994]

"Let us follow George Mueller. Oh, may the members, the attenders at the national religious broadcasters work with all your might and then not trust in your work, trust in God, and may you go beyond that Muelleresque saying and trust God not only for the outcome of your work but for the origin of your work." [15:30:930]

"When you do, you know what will happen? He will get the glory, and you will discover with Mueller that his yoke is easy and his burden is light, and when you become old, maybe 92 or 95, you will say with Mueller, quote, 'I am bound to state this, and I do it with pleasure, my master has been a kind master to me.'" [16:34:994]

"I have not served a hard master. That is what I delight to show. Father, I pray that you would prove yourself to be a kind master for us and that you would become for us the enabler of the work you call us to do so that both the origin of our labors and the outcome of our labors are found to be a gift." [17:39:1012]

"And you get all the glory in Jesus' name I pray, amen." [18:43:1040]

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Trusting God: The Legacy of George Mueller

Devotional

Day 1: Trust Beyond Effort

Day 2: Divine Origin and Outcome

Day 3: Prayer as Trust, Not Laziness

Day 4: God's Glory in Our Service

Day 5: A Kind Master

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Trusting God: The Legacy of George Mueller

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