Sunday, July 1, 2018

My Eye is Not On the Density of the Fog

A very dear friend and man of faith wrote to me and my husband recently. His simple, sincere words of encouragement reminded me of a story that I had read about George Mueller a few months ago. It was a story that "stuck" with me and that challenged me to hold fast to the Lord, even when circumstances seem to contradict His leading and clear direction. Such a situation happened to me about a year and a half ago when my husband and I were seeking the Lord in His opening up a place for the ministry He has led us to pursue (you may read more about that HERE). This is the story that I read about George Mueller. 




When I first came to America, thirty-one years ago. I crossed the Atlantic with the captain of a steamer who was one of the most devoted men I ever knew, and when we were off the banks of Newfoundland be said to me:
"Mr. Inglis, the last time I crossed here, five weeks ago, one of the most extraordinary things happened which, has completely revolutionized the whole of my Christian life. Up to that time I was one of your ordinary Christians. We had a man of God on board, George Müller, of Bristol. I had been on that bridge for twenty-two hours and never left it. I was startled by some one tapping me on the shoulder. It was George Müller:
"'Captain, he said, 'I have come to tell you that I must be In Quebec on Saturday afternoon.' This was Wednesday.
"'It is impossible,' I said.
"'Very well, if your ship can't take me, God will find some other means of locomotion to take me. I have never broken an engagement in fifty seven years.'
"’I would willingly help you. How can I? I am helpless.'
"'Let us go down to the chart-room and pray.'
"I looked at that man of God, and I thought to myself, what lunatic asylum could that man have come from? I never heard of such a thing.
"'Mr. Müller,' I said, 'do you know how dense the fog is?'
"'No,' he replied, 'my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God who controls every circumstance of my life.'
"He got down on his knees and prayed one of the most simple prayers. I muttered to myself: 'That would suit a children's class where the children were not more than eight or nine years old.' The burden of his prayer was something like this: 'O Lord, if it is consistent with Thy will, please remove this fog in five minutes. You know the engagement you made for me in Quebec Saturday. I believe it is your will.'
"When he finished. I was going to pray, but he put his hand on my shoulder and told me not to pray. "First, you do not believe He will; and second. I believe He has. And there is no need whatever for you to pray about it.' I looked at him, and George Müller said..
"'Captain. I have known my Lord for forty-seven years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to gain an audience with the King. Get up, captain, and open the door, and you will find the fog is gone.' I got up, and the fog was gone!
"You tell that to some people of a scientific turn of mind, and they will say, 'That is not according to natural laws.' No, it is according to spiritual laws. The God with whom we have to do is omnipotent. Hold on to God's omnipotence. Ask believingly. On Saturday afternoon, I may add, George Müller was there on time."
~Herald of gospel liberty, Volume 102, Issues 27-52


My eye is not on the density of the fog . . . these words have been playing over in my mind this week. When God calls us to do something, to believe that He will do something according to how He has led us and spoken to us, it will come to pass. This is what my friend wrote in his e-mail, this is what the Word of God strongly teaches us, this is what the Holy Spirit presses upon our hearts even when human logic seems to contradict His leading. 


He opened the door for a place to begin our ministry here, after living in a drafty, dingy rental house for a little over a year--and after seeking Him in prayer for over 16 years (yes; 16 years)--at the time when every single door appeared to be shut to us and I felt like my prayers were pounding on the iron door of Heaven. 

It was at the point when I let go of human logic and wisdom and what seemed to be the wise, prudent thing to do (to buy a temporary house in town while we were waiting for Him to open up a permanent place of ministry--maybe in the years to come, I thought) that I quietly humbled myself before Him in prayer. He led me to pray and fast in a specific way for 21 days and at the end of that period of time the door opened in such a miraculous way that I sensed His Presence and direction so surely and perfectly that I could only sit in the quietness before Him and thank Him over and over

He is God. He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above and beyond all that we ask or think. We limit Him through our unbelief, through our logical assigning of what we think He is able and willing to do. 

If God has truly called you to something--for me and my husband it was to create a place of rest for God's people--He will do it--be sure of your calling--pray, seek Him diligently--it is usually something that you don't feel qualified to do! But He is able. And as the friend that I mentioned at the beginning of this e-mail reminded me and my husband many years ago, He does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called

Are you called to raise children well--with a Godly foundation and heritage? Do it, and don't be distracted by the things of this world. Are you called to serve in a certain capacity in the church and you feel weak and unable to step forward? Take the first step, by the grace and power of Almighty God. Are you called away from your comfortable home to go to an unknown place, called to uncertainty and trial? Press into His calling and you will find His sustaining grace and the everlasting arms beneath. 

There is nothing too difficult for the Lord. And what we see as difficulties are only the places where He makes His glory shine brightest. 

So trust Him--and place your eyes upon Him, not on the density of the fog. 











You might find me on these link-ups:

Inspire Me MondayLiteracy Musing MondaysThe Modest MomRaising Homemakers, Classical HomemakingA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Testimony TuesdayTell His Story, Messy Marriage,  Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking ThursdaySoul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe Weekend BrewCounting My BlessingsThe HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link UpGrace and Truth LinkupFaith Filled FridaySHINE Blog HopRaRaLinkupWord of God SpeakBooknificent ThursdayLiving Proverbs 31Coffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUpYou're the Star Blog HopHomesteader HopFresh Market FridayHeart Encouragement Thursday Sitting Among Friends Blog PartyFabulous Warm Heart PartyOh My Heartsie Girls Wonderful Wednesday LinkupWriter WednesdayTea and Word

19 comments:

  1. Great post, I love that story of George Mueller which I heard again recently, it was interesting to read how it tied into your story too!
    You're most well welcome to drop by for a cuppa,
    Jennifer

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer--Yes; it is such an encouraging story! The Lord bless you!

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  2. This is going to stick with me as well - "My eye is not on the density of the fog ..." This morning, it has deep meaning as I wait to hear about some health issues for a loved one. My eye is not in the fog of what it probably is and how serious it very well could be, but rather on God's love and awesome power. Nothing is impossible for Him.Thanks you for sharing this post!

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    1. Yes, Laura; that is true! Nothing is too hard for the Lord <3 . . . may He bless you and give you grace as you wait upon Him.

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  3. Beautiful fog pictures. We get fog on our lake, especially during winter after storms. When that happens we have to stay home. Taking a boat out in the fog can be dangerous with work boats whipping around. - Margy

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    1. Yes; I can imagine that, Margy! I know that I feel nervous driving in the fog--I can't imagine sailing with it!

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  4. A very encouraging story. "Men should always pray and not faint." Let us continue doing so for one another.

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    1. Yes; I think so, too! And yes--continuing in prayer . . .

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  5. Oh, goodness, yes! My perspective changes everything about my day, but this metaphor makes it crystal clear!

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    1. Yes; I know what you mean, Michele! It is a good metaphor!

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  6. Love this story. Visiting you today from the tea and word tues link up. lauensparks.net

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    1. Yes, Lauren; it really encouraged me, too! Have a blessed day!

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  7. "Men ought to always pray and not faint..." Lord help us to do so, for there is nothing really in this world which can help us in any real and permanent way.

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    1. That is such an encouraging/challenging verse, Patrick . . . Yes; truly, Christ is the only Hope and Help for us <3.

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  8. This is a poignant message! I just love reading stories like this as fuel for my faith! I'll be sharing this on social media all week!!

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  9. Rebekah, thank you for this gentle reminder. The fog can be oh so daunting and unkind.

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  10. George Muller was also an inspiration to me. I read a story about him when I was a child and I was struck by how God answered his prayer. If I remember correctly they were without food at the orphanage and George prayed and told them God would provide. And shortly after someone knocked at the door with food. It's so easy to look at circumstances and think there is no way out, but God always provides even if not in the way we think He will. Thanks for such an encouraging story and of how God worked in your life, too. Blessings to you! Thanks for sharing with us at the #LMMLinkup.

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  11. Thank you, Rebekah! I can't hear it too often... God is greater than the fog in my life. He is able to work in and through my circumstances for my good and His glory! Blessings! I love reading about this ministry to which God has called your family!

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  12. I loved your post. It inspired me to believe in what I am praying for and not focus on the density of the fog. Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up. My prayers are with you as you follow God's leading.

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