In George Müller: Delighted In God,* author Roger Steer gives insight into this remarkable marriage and ministry partnership of Mary and George. The following glimpse into Mary’s life is gleaned from his work.
“Our happiness in God, and in each other, was indescribable. We had not some happy days every year, not a month of happiness every year; but we had twelve months of happiness in the year, and thus year after year. Often did I say, ‘My darling, do you think there is a couple in Bristol, or in the world, happier than we are?’”
These words were spoken from the heart of George Müller, a man called by God to confront the abominable social ills affecting a population of children in England in the 1800s. The woman who shared his life, his faith, his love, and his Lord was Mary Groves Müller. She was his faithful wife and coworker in establishing orphanage houses in Bristol, England.
“Müller felt sure that it was better for him to be married and prayed much about the choice of a life’s partner. Miss Groves could hardly have been a more ideal answer to his prayers. According to Müller, she played the piano nicely and painted beautifully, and as for providing him with intellectual companionship, she had studied English grammar, geography, history, French, Latin and Hebrew —and she could teach George a thing or two about astronomy. On August 15, 1830, he [George] wrote asking her to be his wife; four days later, Mary accepted his proposal, and they fell to their knees asking God to bless their marriage.”
As the work with orphans grew to become five large orphanages housing thousands of children, no individual was ever asked for money. “Oh, it is good to trust in the living God, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ Expect great things from God, and great things you will have. There is no limit to what He is able to do.”
“Mary was the ideal wife for the director of five large children’s homes. “My darling,” Müller often said to her, “God Himself singled you out for me, as the most suitable wife I could possibly wish to have had.”
Of his marriage to Mary, Müller said:
“Every year our happiness increased more and more … Thousands of times I told her, ‘My darling, I never saw you at any time, since you became my wife, without my being delighted to see you.’” Indeed, Müller believed that one of the greatest secrets of their marital bliss was that besides their times of private prayer, and family prayer, he and Mary frequently prayed together.
At seventy-two years of age, on February 6, 1870, Mary left this world and went Home to her beloved Lord Jesus. In her earthly partnership with George Müller, their lives had been characterized by prayer, faith, and mutual self-denial for the cause of Christ.
Mary Müller
1797-1870
*Roger Steer. George Müller: Delighted in God. Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, Ltd., 2008. Print. (Content quoted and paraphrased).
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
“He has also set eternity in human hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
“Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3).
How did this extraordinary couple live their lives with eternal intentionality?
What aspect of their vibrant faith motivates you to trust God more fully?