READING: Exodus 9-11, Matthew 15:21-39
“Where could we get enough bread in this desolate place to fill such a crowd?”
Matthew 15:33
The older I get, the more I forget stuff. Sometimes I’m just so busy that things get missed. In other cases, I probably wasn’t listening well enough to remember the need or the commitment in the first place. And, in some situations, I’m like the disciples of Jesus: I forget God’s blessings of the past
The disciples faced a crowd of at least 4000 men, not counting the women and children, and that crowd was hungry. They’d been with Jesus for three days. If He sent them back to their home to find food, they might pass out along the way.
The disciples had seen this kind of situation before. In the previous case, the men numbered 5000, and Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed perhaps as many as 15-20,000 people (Matt. 14:13-21). The scarcity of food was no problem for the Creator, who provided enough food to satisfy the people and still have leftovers. So significant was that miracle that all four Gospel writers recorded it.
You would think that the disciples would readily remember it, too, when they faced another hungry crowd. Rather than assume Jesus could and would multiply the food again, though, they reverted to their natural thinking: “Where can we get enough bread to feed this many people?” Jesus, in His incredibly patient work with His disciples, simply asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” (Matt. 15:34) – and He fed the multitudes again through the miracle of food multiplication. I’m not sure I would have been as patient as Jesus was, but I’m certainly glad He’s that patient with me.
You see, I do the same thing the disciples did at times. I worry about today’s bills, while failing to remember that God has never not met our needs. I struggle with believing that God will save people I love, even though He miraculously saved my dad after we prayed for him for 36 years. I get impatient when God doesn’t answer my prayers, despite the fact that He has never given me reason not to trust Him. I grieve over my sin and failures of today, forgetting that He has already paid the price for my sin. I far too often get so focused on the struggles of today’s realities that I forget the blessings of yesterday’s victories.
That’s one reason I love the Word of God: it shows me not only that I’m just as fickle as the disciples, but also that Christ is just as patient with me as He was with them. He’s faithful to me when I don’t always put all my trust in Him. That’s one truth I do not want to forget.
ACTION STEPS:
- Be aware of whatever struggle you’re facing today. Based on God’s promises and provisions of the past, trust Him today.
- Somebody today may need you to be patient with him or her, especially if that person is forgetful. Ask God to give you the patience you need.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me for forgetting yesterday’s care and provision. Help me to trust You more today.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Exodus 12-13, Matthew 16