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Discovering The Lord's Will
by GBC Ministry

 Finding the Lord’s Will

George Mueller’s “Method”
 
Taken from The Pursuit of God’s Will, by Randall Caldwell, Chapter 13, pgs 97, 98, Vision Harvest Publishers (vision-harvest.com) [Note: underlines and bracketed notes are added for emphasis]
 
“George Mueller of Bristol, England, founder and director of a large children’s orphanage, which he managed by simple faith to the amazement of the whole world, was one of the great saints of his time. During the course of his life, in response to prayer alone, without any form of solicitation to men, approximately $7.5 million was entrusted to him for the care of thousands of orphaned children. In today’s dollars, this would be equivalent to more than $100 million.
 
“The story of Mueller’s life and faith and the marvelous answers to prayer that he experienced represents a deep spiritual journey indeed. His life of faith in Christ has been a wonderful example for us all, and his orphanage work has been an outstanding monument to the work of that faith. All the money that passed through his hands, and all the marvelous and detailed guidance that he received from God came in response to earnest prayer and simple, childlike faith.
 
“Below is Mueller’s simple approach to determining the divine will of God. He said:
 
‘In [1] trivial matters and in [2] transactions involving most important issues I have found this method always effective:
 
1.       I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to the given matter. Nine-tenth of the trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
 
2.      Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or single impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
 
3.      I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, and in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. 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. [In other words, circumstances alone can also lead to “great delusions,” as the Word so plainly teaches.]
 
5.      I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
 
6.      Thus, through prayer, 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.’ ”
 
Someone has summarized the above method as follows:
 
  1. Surrender your own will.
  2. Seek the Spirit’s will through God’s Word.
  3. Note [but don’t depend on] providential circumstances.
  4. Pray for guidance. [Note: The Word would add, “and seek wise, impartial counsel.”]
  5. Wait on God.” [i.e., “…let patience have her perfect work” James 1:14; the “hurried, anxious” soul is a soul harassed by the Enemy or the lusts of the carnal man, not a soul being directed by God.]
 
 
 
Psalm 25:9-14  The meek [sometimes translated “humble”] will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
 
 
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
 
11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
 
12 What man is he that feareth [i.e., manifests sincere reverence towards] the LORD? him shall he teach [Strong’s: “to flow as water…figuratively to point out”] in the way that he shall choose.
 
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
 
14 The secret [Strong’s: “intimacy, consultation”] of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

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