A man fell into a ditch and several people responded: The realist said, “That’s a ditch.” “Things will get better,” chirped the optimist. The news reporter offered, “I will pay you for an exclusive about life in the ditch.” “Did you get a permit for that ditch?” inquired the police officer. And the mathematician eagerly uttered, “I can calculate the length, depth, and width of the ditch for you!”
What the man needed was someone to meet his greatest need—to help him get out of the ditch.
That’s what Jesus did for a group of people who had been following Him and listening to His teaching. These people had come from great distances, and they had been with Him for days. As time went on, their food supply ran out (Mark 8:2). In compassion, Jesus reached out to meet their need. He fully understood what they were going through; went with them to the place where they were weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken; and prepared to do something about their situation (v.3).
The disciples asked a practical question: “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” (v.4). This question lacked understanding and faith in Jesus’ person, power, and presence to meet the needs of His people. Jesus responded, “How much bread do you have?” All they had was seven loaves and a few small fish (vv.5-7). But Jesus took those meager provisions and miraculously fed 4,000 people (vv.8-9). Amazing!
We can trust Jesus to meet our needs by remembering that: (1) He is affected by our needs; (2) He can and will use seemingly inadequate and natural resources to supernaturally meet our needs; (3) He is not limited to meeting our needs just once; and (4) He will sometimes satisfy our needs with more than enough. He is our faithful provider!
More:
• Psalm 86:15
• Mark 6:33-44
• Philippians 4:19
Next:
How does God’s work in the past encourage you to trust Him with your future? In what ways has God provided for you and your family?
raptureready on November 1, 2009 at 7:14 am
This was a great devotional. My greatest struggle is that I constantly get in the way of Him meeting my needs. Maybe it is a “guy” thing but I find myself right in the middle of “solving” a problem before I remember to pray. Maybe I should not even be trying to solve it, maybe it is not my problem to solve, maybe I am gleefully skipping down a “bunny trail” on my way to my solution with no thought of talking to Jesus about it.
Is anyone else out there like this?
marvin williams on November 1, 2009 at 7:43 am
Man, you are not alone. I will sit with you on that bench and keep you company. There are times when I forget that God knows my future better than I, and he knows what I need better than I do. I have to practice the discipline of dailyness, trusting him daily to meet all our needs. I am still learning to do this. Thanks for sharing your heart here. Blessings!