May those who enjoy the faithful ministry of the Word feel

Hear the words of George Müller: “May those who enjoy the faithful ministry of the Word feel exceedingly thankful for it. There are few blessings on Earth greater for a believer; and yet the Lord is frequently obliged to teach us the value of this blessing by depriving us of it for a season.” These are not words spoken lightly, but forged from the heart of a man who spent his life in devotion, service, and trust in the providence of God. They speak of gratitude, of reverence for the gift of divine truth, and of the painful lessons that come when such blessings are withheld.

The origin of this reflection lies in Müller’s life as a preacher, evangelist, and caretaker of orphans. He knew that the faithful ministry of the Word—the preaching of Scripture, the nourishment of the soul—was not a common treasure but a rare jewel. In his time, as in ours, believers sometimes took it for granted, treating the ministry as a given. His words warn us that God often teaches appreciation not through abundance, but through privation. When the Word is silenced, or the faithful minister is absent, the heart learns by hunger what it once neglected in plenty.

History bears witness to this truth. Consider the days of the early Christians under Roman persecution. In the catacombs, they gathered in secret, whispering the Scriptures, treasuring each word as though it were life itself. When the sword of persecution silenced their preachers or scattered their gatherings, they felt the deep ache of Müller’s words. And yet, in that deprivation, their faith burned hotter, and they learned to prize every fragment of truth, every shared prayer, every echo of the Word.

There is a profound teaching here about value through absence. Humanity often learns the worth of blessings only when they are removed. Food is sweetest after hunger; water most precious after drought; and the Word of God most powerful after silence. Müller does not glorify the loss, but he acknowledges the wisdom in it: God sometimes allows a season of want so that the heart awakens to gratitude. To be thankful in abundance requires humility; to be thankful after deprivation requires transformation.

His words also remind us of the spiritual responsibility of gratitude. To sit under the faithful ministry of the Word is no small privilege—it is one of the greatest blessings a believer can have. But blessings neglected turn into burdens, and gifts unacknowledged grow dim. Müller’s counsel urges us to recognize the weight of grace in every sermon, every teaching, every opportunity to be nourished in truth. To give thanks is not optional—it is the duty of the faithful.

What lesson, then, must we take? That blessings are not eternal guarantees; they are gifts to be cherished in the moment. The faithful ministry of the Word is a light in darkness, a guide for the soul, and a fortress for the weary. If we neglect it, if we take it lightly, we may find ourselves in a season of silence, learning by deprivation what we should have learned by thanksgiving. To avoid this, we must cultivate hearts that honor the Word daily, receiving it as life itself.

Practical actions rise from this wisdom. First, give thanks for every sermon, every teaching, and every faithful minister, knowing that such treasures are not promised forever. Second, do not take for granted the freedom to worship, for history shows it can be taken in a moment. Third, deepen your hunger for the Word, not waiting until it is withheld to recognize its worth. And finally, let gratitude shape your response—live not only as a hearer, but as one who applies the Word with joy and reverence.

Thus, let George Müller’s words endure: to be thankful for the faithful ministry of the Word is to recognize one of the greatest blessings on earth. And if ever deprived, let the season of want drive us to treasure it all the more, so that we may never again treat lightly what is divine and eternal.