We live in a fallen, sin-cursed world—a world where our Lord warned us that it would rain on the just and the unjust. There is no escape for anyone from the tragedies of this world. These events remind us that our anchor and our hope is not in this world but in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The salvation He gives us no one can destroy. The love that He has for us no one can take away.
There is a world to come that He has promised us that will have no more sorrow or suffering. Until then we occupy this earth and endure many things as His faithful followers until He comes to fulfill all things and make all things right.
But this is the here and now, and in the aftermath of these events we are left with the seemingly insurmountable task of rebuilding our lives. How do we do it? Where do we start?
Have you ever thought about starting with prayer? As believers we know that we shouldn’t start any task until we have first started with prayer. Prayer is like a meeting with an old friend each day. No, I say more than just a friend but our heavenly Father, our Savior, our Lord and Master and the one who has only our best interest at heart.
Have you ever heard of George Mueller? One day he looked down the streets of Bristol, England, and saw hundreds of homeless children. He was so moved with concern for them that he decided that something had to be done.
He had only two pence in his pocket. That’s two cents. Two pennies. But he decided to start an orphanage. In 60 years, beginning with two pennies, Mueller took care of 10,000 orphans.
He looked out and saw homeless kids. He could have said, “But I don’t have any money. But there is no way to care for them, to meet their needs, to buy the food.” Instead, he looked at them and said, “Therefore, I will reach out and help them.”
And God blessed Mueller’s efforts in mighty ways.
Mueller told amazing stories of answered prayers. He kept a record of his prayers, filling more than 3,000 pages. His notes show that more than 30,000 prayers were answered.
One night there was no food in the orphanage to give the children for breakfast. But at 3:00 in the morning a baker called him up and said, “I just can’t sleep. I’m going down to the bakery to bake some bread. Would it be all right for me to bring some over to you this morning?”
One time a milk truck just happened to break down in front of the orphanage on a day when they had no milk. The truck driver came in and said, “This milk is all going to spoil. Would you like some of it?”
Their need was met time and time again, 30,000 times in 60 years, God answered George Mueller’s prayers.
Romans 8:28 is still true: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior then you are “called according to His purpose.” He is yours and you are His. He is responsible for you. Let Him work in your life. Trust Him in everything even when everything looks hopeless. Pray even when you don’t feel like praying. Pray the hardest when it is hardest to pray.
One thing I know from over 54 years of following Him: you CAN trust God! God is all-powerful, all-good, and will bring everything to a good purpose. Therefore I can say from the authority of God’s word that in the days to come your storm will turn out to be a blessing to many.
Remember George Mueller changed the lives of 10,000 children with only two pennies! What little you have left is all God needs to begin to change your life and the lives of many within your lifetime. Give it to Him through faith and prayer.
Watch sermons and read sermon texts and other articles online at tomahawkmbc.com. Listen to Pastor Jack Ward’s sermons on WSIP FM 98.9 every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Watch his sermons on his Facebook page, “Jack Ward.”