God Brought a Chair in Answer to Prayer
The sermon highlights the importance of trusting God's provision and timing, as exemplified by Mr. Müller's faith in God sending his wife's chair from New York in time for their voyage.
George Mueller shares a powerful testimony of faith during his journey across the Atlantic, recounting how he trusted God for a chair that was crucial for his sick wife. Despite the odds and the advice to purchase a new chair, Mueller remained steadfast in prayer, believing that God would provide. Just as he was about to board the ship, the chair arrived unexpectedly, demonstrating God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting Him in all circumstances. This experience not only strengthened Mueller's faith but also served as a lesson for those around him about the power of prayer and reliance on God. He humbly thanked God for the provision, illustrating the joy of answered prayers.
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It was my happiness to cross the Atlantic in the company of this dear brother on the steamship Sardinian, from Quebec to Liverpool, in June, 1880.
I met Mr. Müller in the express office the morning of sailing, about half an hour before the tender was to take the passengers to the ship. He asked of the agent if a deck chair had arrived for him from New York. He was answered, No, and told that it could not possibly come in time for the steamer. I had with me a chair I had just purchased and told Mr. Müller of the place near by, where I had obtained it, and suggested that as but a few moments remained he had better buy one at once.
His reply was, "No, my brother, Our Heavenly Father will send the chair from New York. It is one used by Mrs. Miller, as we came over, and left in New York when we landed. I wrote ten days ago to a brother who promised to see it forwarded here last week.He has not been prompt as I would have desired, but I am sure Our Heavenly Father will send the chair. Mrs. Müller is very sick upon the sea, and has particularly desired to have this same chair, and not finding it here yesterday when we arrived, as we expected, we have made special prayer that Our Heavenly Father would be pleased to provide it for us, and we will trust Him to do so." As this dear man of God went peacefully on board the tender, running the risk of Mrs. Müller making the voyage without a chair, when for a couple of dollars she could have been provided for, I confess I feared Mr. Müller was carrying his faith principles too far and not acting wisely.
I was kept at the express office ten minutes after Mr. Müller left. Just as I started to hurry to the wharf a team drove up the street, and on top of a load just arrived from New York, was Mr. Müller's chair! It was sent at once to the tender and placed in my hands to take to Mr. Müller (the Lord having a lesson for me) just as the boat was leaving the dock. I found Mr. and Mrs. Müller in a retired spot on one side of the tender and handed him the chair. He took it with the happy, pleased expression of a child who has just received a kindness deeply appreciated, and reverently removing his hat and folding his hands over it, he thanked his Heavenly Father for sending the chair. "In everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God." "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you."
Taken from the Wonders of Prayer by Daniel W. Whittle
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Trusting God's Provision
- A. Mr. Müller's faith in God's provision for his wife's chair
- B. The contrast between Mr. Müller's faith and the speaker's skepticism
- II. The Power of Prayer in Answering Requests
- A. Mr. Müller's specific prayer for the chair's arrival
- B. The miraculous arrival of the chair just in time
- III. The Lesson of Trusting God's Timing
- A. The speaker's initial fear of Mr. Müller's actions
- B. The lesson learned from Mr. Müller's faith and the chair's arrival
- IV. The Importance of Casting Care on God
- A. Mr. Müller's example of casting his care on God
- B. The promise of God's care for those who trust in Him
Key Quotes
“In everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God.” — George Mueller
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” — George Mueller
Application Points
- We should trust God's provision and timing in our lives, even when it seems impossible or unlikely.
- We should cast our care on God, trusting in His care and guidance for our needs and requests.
- We should have faith in God's promises and provision, even when we don't see immediate results.