Scripture

They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterwards, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of left over bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves.

Observation

When the disciples return from their ministry tour, Jesus says they should find a quiet place and rest for a while.

They cross the lake on a boat, but the people see them leaving and run around the lake to meet them. Jesus has compassion on them because they are like sheep without a shepherd.

Late in the afternoon, the disciples want to send the people away to get food. Jesus tells them, “You feed them.”

They find five small loaves of bread and two fish, and bring them to Jesus. Jesus has the crowd sit down on the grass. He takes the bread and fish, blesses them and breaks them, giving them to the disciples to distribute them.

After feeding 5000 men plus women and children, they have twelve baskets of leftovers

Application

I marvel at a God who can feed 10,000 or so people with one person’s lunch and have much more left over than what He started with. This is not too hard for the Creator of the universe, but it does boggle our little minds.

For many years I was in a place where we did not have much to live on. Yet, God provided more than enough. While we did not in theory have enough to live on, we were able to thrive and give generously to others.

The key is to be in the place God has called you to be doing the work that he has called you to do.

When we put God’s kingdom first, then He provides all the other things that we need and much more.

Listen

Lord, it really does defy my thinking when I see these miracles of provision, but I know you are willing and able to give all that we need.

Keith, I have always provided more than enough for people who commit themselves to trusting and obeying me.

Those stories of nuns and others who lived just on the communion bread and no other food, these stories are true. Their faith was simple. They knew that I had called them to live this way and they knew that I could supply what they needed.

You have experienced this in your own life.

The key is to keep your eyes on me. Follow my lead and everything will be provided for you.