Page 66 - Living Epistles

understand the ways of God. During this period of time there were daily
struggles for provision. It seemed that God rarely ever gave Mr. Muller and his
fellow laborers anything beyond that day’s provision. This led to great trials,
and constant seasons of intense prayer that God might not fail them.

I have read these accounts a number of times, and the monotony of the
struggle day after day is very evident in the journal entries of Mr. Muller. Yet,
he was not dismayed. Indeed, he considered the daily struggle to be a very
normal experience for all who would follow the Lord in obedience and faith.
The countless trials also led to countless acts of divine deliverance. The timing
of the Lord’s provision was always such that never once in all those years did
the orphans ever miss a meal. Yet day after day the laborers faith was tried.
Summing up the year 1838, Mr. Muller wrote:

Should it be supposed... by anyone in reading the details of our trials of faith
during the year... that we have been disappointed in our expectations, or
discouraged in the work, my answer is... such days were expected from the
commencement... Our desire is not that we may be without trials of faith, but
that the Lord graciously be pleased to support us in the trial.

As I have considered these matters, and being acquainted with the testimonies
of many other saints both contemporary and from previous times, and having
walked with the Lord down very similar paths, I have observed that it is very
common for Yahweh to lead His people to trust Him for their daily bread.

When Yahweh led the Israelites through the wilderness, He said He would
provide manna from heaven each day. He instructed the Israelites to only
gather what they would eat that day, trusting that He would be faithful to
provide for them again the next day. Those who were fearful and did not trust
gathered more than one day’s supply, but it became rancid and bred worms.

When Christ taught His disciples how to pray, He uttered the words, “Give us
this day, our daily bread.” All those who will follow God by faith will be led to
experience this daily dependence upon God. I can testify that it can be a very
uncomfortable place for a man to walk, especially when he has others looking
to him for their provision. Yet, God is faithful, and He would have us to rest
in the confidence of that fact. There is a place of peace that all may enter into
concerning Yahweh’s faithfulness. He will keep us daily facing need, He will
try us repeatedly over a prolonged period of time, until we learn the lesson of
trust and resting in Him.