In yesterday’s post, I shared about Jesus provides all we need in the wilderness. It is in those places where we feel alone or barren that He makes provision for us.
Today let’s return to Mark Chapter 8. The disciples ask, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”
Jesus answers their question with a question of His own: “How much bread do you have?” (verse 5, NLT).
Jesus does not ask them, “How much do you need to feed all the people?”. He does not focus on the lack but solely on what is present.
The crowd was large – about 4,000 – and the number of loaves of bread small in comparison – about 7.
One does not need to be a mathematician to know the numbers do not compute.
As far as I can see, we are told the numbers for one reason and one reason only –
To magnify the greatness of what is about to occur.
If the response had been 500 loaves of bread, it probably would not have been as amazing for everyone to be fed as they would have ample supply. But we all know that seven loaves would never feed 4,000 people. No way. No how.
But something happens when we offer the Lord the little we have and let Him do with it as only He can.
He honors our faith in giving and the little becomes sufficient. He takes our lives and uses them in ways we never could imagine. He does not require anything of us that He has not already equipped us to do:
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” (2 Peter 1:3, NLT)
“… may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21, NLT)
Let’s return to that day with the crowd …
Jesus took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them up for the disciples to distribute to the crowd. Now I am not sure how it happened, but the more they dispersed to the crowd, the more there continued to be. The people ate as much as they wanted and there was still leftovers.
When we offer up the little we have,
our little becomes more than enough.
It becomes excess.
Abundance.
And no one goes without.
Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Women With Intention .
Today, I’m offering up my little and trusting God to stretch in and mold it and shape it into being enough, even more than enough! Needed this encouragment today. Thank you, Joanne!
Me too, Liz. It’s amazing how we think when we have enough then we’ll give or do. But He says, give and do and you will have enough. May we open our hands and give Him our all. Blessings!
“He does not require anything of us that He has not already equipped us to do” What an awesome illustration of that you have here. Thanks, Joanne! So encouraging to me today! #WomenWithIntention
Thank you, Bethany. It was interesting to me that they already had the loaves. How often I look and think I am missing something. But He has already given me all I need for today. So grateful you stopped this morning! Blessings!
“He does not focus on the lack but solely on what is present.” What a timely message for me in THIS day, THIS moment. God is providing. Thanks, Joanne!
Lisa, I know I tend to look ahead, anticipating at times, freaking out at other times, as I see the problem but not the answer. But much like the manna appearing each morning, He makes provision for the day. And as you pointed out, sometimes in this moment.
I love this story. Always have. God’s focus is never on who we are not or what we don’t have. He sees us right now just as we are and we are enough because of Him (just like the bread!)
It’s so true, Becky, we are enough because He is enough and He resides within us. Have a great weekend!
I love that we can give God the little we have and he can multiply it for his purposes and for his glory. It’s so easy to think what we can give is not enough and of no benefit.
It is so much easier to see the lack. The thing is God does not ask us to be all or have all. Who we are and what we give is enough because He is enough. I am so glad you shared, Rachel, as you made me think a little more on this. Have a wonderful weekend!
Abundance. More than enough. If only we could see that every time! We all have a little that adds up to a lot. 🙂
I love that, Sarah! It is when we each bring what we have that it all adds up to much. May we bring our little with willing and joyful hearts and let Him do as He will with it. Blessings!
Lovely what God can do with our little! We tend to focus more on the extent of our problems rather than the extent of God’s miracles.
thank you for the beautiful devotional
God bless
We truly need to train our minds to think big. It is always wonderful to see your smiling face! Blessings!