Peace For TodaySample

Who’s in Charge?

He would check into expensive hotels only to sneak out without paying his bill. He never hesitated to steal what he wanted. And he loved to gamble. But when he met Jesus, everything changed.

He was George Müller, a nineteenth-century British evangelist who opened an orphanage in 1836, providing a home for 26 orphans; by 1870 he had 1,722 children living in five different houses. During these years, George trusted God to provide. George never asked for financial support for his efforts or donations of food for the children. Instead, he prayed.

One morning he set the table for breakfast knowing he had absolutely nothing to feed the children. Bowing their heads over empty bowls, George prayed and asked God for their daily bread.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door. The baker explained that he’d been urgently impressed by God to take the children bread. Then the milkman knocked at the door. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. He hoped to give his milk to the children so he could unload his cart and repair it. George knew beyond all doubt that God was the source of his provision.*

In Judges 6:36–40, we find Gideon attempting to convince himself of this truth. Wanting to confirm that God would be with him as he battled followers of Baal, Gideon asked God to show that He controls the dew.

The test was significant because Israel’s enemy served Baal, believing that he controlled the dew and the rain and therefore the success of the crops. Gideon needed to know who was actually in charge: God or Baal. If God proved He had control over the dew, Gideon would be convinced of God’s power and strengthened in his resolve to lead the Israelites into battle. If the God who was in charge was with him, he could face anything with courage and peace.

What about you today? Do you believe that God is in charge? He controls the dew . . . the rain . . . and everything else that comes our way.

God is in control, and He loves you.