George Mueller: Word ofwarning and the necessityof closet communion

All this shows that my body and spirit required rest, and, therefore, however careless about the Lord's work I might have appeared to my brethren, I ought to have had a great deal of quiet time for prayer and reading the word, especially as I had a long journey before me that day, and as I was going to Bristol, which in itself required much prayer. Instead of this, I hurried to the prayer-meeting, after a few minutes' private prayer. But let none think that public prayer will make up for closet communion.

Then again, afterwards, when I ought to have withdrawn myself, as it were, by force, from the company of beloved brethren and sisters, and given my testimony for the Lord (and, indeed, it would have been the best testimony I could have given them) by telling them that I needed secret communion with the Lord, I did not do so, but spent the time, till the coach came, in conversation with them.

Now, however profitable in some respects it may have been made to those with whom I was on that morning, yet my own soul needed food; and not having had it, I was lean, and felt the effects of it the whole day; and hence I believe it came that I was dumb on the coach, and did not speak a word for Christ, nor give away a single tract, though I had my pockets full on purpose.”

George Mueller (1805-1898) in The Life of Trust (New York: Sheldon and Company, 1878) 97-98.

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Today marks the second to last post from George Mueller at this time. He gives us a word of warning to make space for closet communion.

The life of trust flows out of having intimate time with God. This feeds our soul.

Mueller testifies that he was weak spiritually. Strength only comes from blocking time for solitude with God. What does this look like for you?

This does not refer to sleep or rest. This points to time with God.

The life of trust requires an intimate relationship with God that can only be cultivated with intentionality.

Don't do it, and you will find yourself depleted and ineffective in your service. Do it and notice how it positions you for a life of rich generosity.