Jer 33:3 has been stirring in my spirit for the last week and then I came across this devotion.
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
[3] ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
George Fredrick Müller (1805-1898) was an evangelist and the founder of several orphanages in Bristol, England. More than ten thousand orphans were cared for in those homes during his lifetime. Rather than asking people for monetary support, Müller laid the orphanages’ needs before the Lord, and trusted Him to provide. At times his faith was tested to the extreme, but God always supplied food and provisions for the children.
One year, with winter fast approaching, the boiler of one of the orphan houses — the main heat source — was leaking badly, requiring repair or replacement. But first, the brickwork which completely surrounded the boiler had to be taken away, a process that alone could take days. The leak was great enough that it was questionable whether repairs were possible, and nothing could be ascertained until the brickwork was removed. Temporary forms of heating were impractical for various reasons, and three hundred children, who would suffer in cold rooms, relied on the heat provided by the boiler.
George Müller determined to place the situation entirely into the Hands of the Almighty, trusting in His mercy and tender compassion. A date was chosen for the beginning of the project, and necessary arrangements were made. The fire was to go out on a Wednesday, and the Friday before that day, a north wind began to blow in earnest, bringing frigid weather. Since plans were already in motion for this necessary repair, in prayer Müller asked the Lord for two specific things: that the north wind would become a south wind, and that He would give the workmen a mind to work.
Tuesday evening was still very cold, but on Wednesday the wind came from the south, and the weather was so mild that no fire was needed. The bricks were removed, the leak was soon found, and repairs began. When the boilermakers’ boss came that evening, he said that his men could work late, and return early in the morning. But the leader of the men said, “We would rather work all night, Sir.” By morning the leak was fixed, and within thirty hours, the bricks were back in place. During the entire project, the weather was so warm that there was no need of any heat.
God had once again wonderfully answered prayer! The weather, completely beyond human control, was but a small thing to Him. Requesting the workmen to work through the night was not something Müller could do. However, God resolved both issues in a beautiful way, and the children were not adversely affected.
In our focus verse, God gave Jeremiah a wonderful promise. The prophet was being held prisoner for proclaiming that the enemy would overrun the city of Jerusalem, but there in the depths of the dungeon, he received the assurance that God would hear and answer his prayers.
What requests will you bring to the Lord? We can ask for specific needs, just as George Müller requested the warm weather and the mind to work. We can call upon Him, and He promises to answer, showing us great and mighty things — things that we have not even thought of! God wants to be depended upon. If we ask according to His will with unwavering faith, it is His good pleasure to answer us. Depend on God!
Philippians 4:19 NKJV
[19] And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Shall Supply (Blue Letter Bible):
to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full
to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally
I abound, I am liberally supplied
to render full, i.e. to complete
to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
to consummate: a number
to make complete in every particular, to render perfect
to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking)
to carry into effect, bring to realization, realize
of matters of duty: to perform, execute
of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish
to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment
As we call out to Him through our faith filled prayers, we declare that He is meeting the need in our families and ministry.