Samantha Winata Thud Thud Thud Thud…
Footsteps echoed through the corridor as a woman in her late middle-ages came charging through the door of the study. She came to an abrupt halt before a couple who were sitting together in prayer.
“Pardon my intrusion, but there is a slight problem…” she said impatiently.
The man looked up at the housemother. “Whatever is the matter?”
With desperation getting ahold of her, the housemother blurted, “Mr Muller, sir…. I’m afraid there- there’s no more food to serve the children!”
“Are you sure of this?” His wife inquired, “Have you checked in the other houses?”
The housemother nodded furiously. “Not a crumb, Mrs Muller. We’re all out. It’s never been this bad!”
Let’s pause here for a second.
Now, for most of us, living in such an advanced society we could just go down to the nearest Woolworths or Coles and do a little grocery shopping.
But for George Muller, addressing this problem would take more than a simple trip to the supermarket. Because he is not only responsible to feed him and his family, but a few extra hundred mouths he sheltered in his orphanage.
With such a high demand for food, also taking into consideration that he doesn’t have a direct source of income, there was no way he could get something for all the children to eat.
Let’s see what Muller decides to do in this situation.
“Sir,” The housemother paced back and forth before the couple. “What are we going to do? The children are starving!”
George Muller, besides the fact that he was just bombarded with such alarming news, remained in his seat and seemed to be completely calm. He stood up from his seat and said firmly, “Take the kids to the dining room and have them sit down.”
The housemother hesitated at first, but then nodded and the couple followed her out the door.
300 children filled the dining hall, chattering away as they sat patiently for the food. They looked at their empty bowls in confusion. Normally, by that time they would have been served breakfast, but there wasn’t any food in sight.
“Children, let us thank God for the food.” Muller announced.
The housemother faltered, “What-”
But she was cut short as Muller started to pray. “Heavenly Father, we thank You for the food You have set before us. We have never lacked and for that, we are grateful. Amen.”
As they all opened their eyes, it was no surprise that their bowls were still empty. But Muller didn’t panic. Because he knew God would provide as He has always been.
Within minutes, there was a knock at the door. It was a baker.
“Mr Muller, I could not sleep last night. I was thinking about your work with the orphans and, well, I somehow knew you would need bread this morning. So, here they are!” The baker presented them with three batches of fresh bread.
After the bread had been brought in, almost instantaneously, there was another knock on the door. This time, it was the milkman.
“Morning, sir. My milk cart broke down just outside. The milk would be spoiled by the time I’ve fixed the wheel so I was wondering, um, if you could use some free milk?” And with that, ten large cans of milk were carried into the orphanage.
The housemother was in shock. “I- I cannot believe this! I will never doubt prayer ever again.” And she left the couple to attend to the children.
The fresh bread and milk were served to the kids. It seemed like God had provided for yet another morning, just as He had always done.
Note how George Muller solely rests his trust in God to care for his and the orphanages’ needs. Even in such a situation, he didn’t turn to money or ask for help from others. But rather, he leaves everything to God.
In Matthew 6, we read that even the birds of the sky who do not reap nor sow, neither do they gather into barns, yet God feeds them. Aren’t we of more value to Him? How much more does God provide for us? Therefore, we needn’t worry about what we are going to eat or drink, or even what to wear, because our Heavenly Father knows we need them all (Matthew 6:25 – 34).
God never fails to provide for His people. His providence can come in many different ways, sometimes in a way we do not expect. But that’s the beautiful thing about it. Although we do not know how God works, we can let go of all our worries because we rest in the knowledge that there is a God who is not only aware of our needs but supplies abundantly till our “cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5).