Jesus is the same…
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
As George Mueller meditated on this verse from Hebrews, his heart filled with faith. If Jesus was the same, this meant that His love was unchanging and His power was undiminished. He could still heal the sick, raise the dead, feed the hungry, and meet every need. Mueller also could be confident that his prayers already were answered, even before he received the answers.
Transformed by this confidence, Mueller lived a life of faith throughout his ministry in the last half of the 19th century. As pastor of a large church, evangelist, author, and founder of orphanages, he trusted God to meet every need. He also taught others the power of prayer and faith.
Although Mueller experienced many powerful answers to prayer, at times his prayers were not answered quickly. He wrote of waiting 29 years for one answer. Yes, for 29 years he continued to pray, praise God, and believe that He would answer. While he waited, he became fully assured that God had heard him. As a result, he said, “I have often been enabled to praise Him beforehand for the full answer.”
In contrast, many Christians are filled with doubt, which cripples them from praying or acting in faith. But the Bible tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Today, don’t allow anything to prevent you from trusting in God. Meditate on His Word. Be certain that you really believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
If your prayers are not answered right away, don’t give up or become discouraged.
Instead, be filled with faith. Continue to believe. Start praising God for the answers. Let this praise squeeze doubt, worry, and fear from your life.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You have not changed (and will never change).
I commit these needs to You: ______. Thank You in advance for the answers!
I put my faith in You. In Your name. Amen.
Further reading: Hebrews 13:8