On the shore of the Sea of Galilee Jesus “went up on the mountain and there he sat down with his disciples” (John 6.3). He spent time alone with them until a large crowd gathered. Seeing the people, Jesus had compassion on them and began to teach them “many things” (Mark 6.34). As evening approached, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?” (John 6.5). Philip responded in a natural manner: there are too many people, we don’t have the money to purchase food for them. They brought a boy to Jesus who had “five barley loaves and two fish” (6.9), which they thought far too inadequate for the 5,000 men, plus women and children, who had gathered. Jesus then did the remarkable. He gave thanks for the simple and small, and had the disciples distribute it to all present. There was plenty. Those gathered “ate as much as they wanted” (6.11) and were fully satisfied. Additionally, there were twelve baskets full of leftovers. God worked in an unexpected way.
From this we are reminded to be thankful for what we have. It may be meager, common, and thought to be insufficient. However, the Lord will always give what we need, and it will always be satisfactory. Additionally, we should be willing to give what we can, even though it may seem as little compared to the need. However, we are to consider what we have, what the Lord has given us in our abilities, our monetary means, and our time. The Lord desires us to give from what we have and trust He will use it for His glory. The little boy with a small basket of food wasn’t much, and no one would ever have thought it could be used as it was. But God knew; God worked. The response: the people gave praise to God for what He had done. May we never limit, in our minds, what God can do. Rather, might we ever be faithful to do what the Lord has enabled us to do, and then give Him all the glory and praise He rightly deserves.
Expecting God’s working – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 