19Dec 08
How to Ascertain the Will of God
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How many of us sometimes struggle with knowing the will of the Lord?
George Muller (1805-1898) was a man of prayer and one who regularly sought the will of the Lord. In so doing, he saw God answer prayer in amazing ways. His life is a tribute indeed to the Words of Christ, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)."
The following notes are taken from Mr. Muller’s own journal. During our time of study in the Wisdom Booklets this morning, we read this excerpt & were greatly inspired.
May God bless you as you seek to pray according to His will.
How to Ascertain the Will of God
1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has now ill of its own in regard to a given matter.
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…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.
7. In trivial matters and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.
One of the greatest questions that it seems like I am always asking myself is “What is God’s Will about this?” This post beautifully answers this perturbing question from the personal testimony of one of the great heroes of faith. Thank you for sharing this nugget of truth!
Goerge Mueller was an amazing man. We can sure learn much from his dedicated and faithful life. Thanks Joshua for the post!
Thanks Josh! I’d seen this before, but I’m just now starting to get it! Sometimes things take a few years to sink in =)
Those are great guidelines! Thank you for sharing them, Joshua!
Yes thank you from my corner as well Joshua. I remember when I read those points years ago when I was reading about George Muller for the Faith Journal! They so impressed me that I memorized them right away and now it’s been good to get a refresher course.
[...] one morning when the orphans were getting ready for school there was no food left in the house. George Muller sat down to pray for the food that God was going to provide. A knock came and it was a baker who gave them bread. [...]