Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
Matthew 15:32-39
32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” 33 The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” 34 Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 38 Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
Reflect
Who doesn’t love the accounts of the feeding of the 4,000 or even the account of feeding 5,000, the latter making it into all four gospels?
Jesus felt compassion for people who probably only packed a lunch for one day. Imagine going to a three-day seminar and the coffee and doughnuts are gone the first day. Imagine someone who could hold your attention even when your stomach was growling. Imagine such a large number of people gathered in one location out in the countryside.
Think about how we often say that Jesus met the physical need of those who came to him before he met their spiritual need. Wait! The people hungered to hear the words of the Lord for three days before he fed their bodies.
The words that proceeded from the mouth of God were more filling than bread and fish; yet, the people received food for their stomach out of the compassion of our Master.
Think about ourselves. We go on an overnight trip and pack enough for a week. We go out to eat and then bring snacks back to our room. We eat the hotel breakfast and hope that the seminar has croissants instead of just doughnuts.
Jesus had compassion on people who had set aside their desire to fill their stomachs so Jesus could fill their hearts. What about us?
Pray
Dear Lord,
Thank you for loving us first.
Thank you for coming in the flesh to save us from sin and death.
We confess that we have placed too much faith in this world.
Help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Help us to follow you without anxiety about our provisions.
Help us to trust your provision and your love for us.
Help us to see and testify to your mighty acts in this age.
Amen.
Go with God!
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