READING: Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:31-37, Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 8:1-10, Matthew 15:32-16:4, Mark 8:11-21, Matthew 16:5-12
I am both humbled and challenged by today’s reading because I too often struggle with trusting Jesus even though I should know better. Faith should not be hard for me, for I’ve seen God work in mighty ways over the years—but it’s still a wrestling match for me some days.
I’m like the disciples, actually. They had delivered the multiplied loaves and the fish when Jesus fed the 5000+ people. They were hands-on in that miracle, yet they apparently failed to think of it when Jesus and they faced another hungry crowd of 4000+ people. Their minds went not to the Savior who provides everything but to their lack of provision in that desolate place. Then, they even later fretted they had only one loaf of bread in their boat, despite what they had seen Jesus do twice.
In fact, they did remember that Jesus so multiplied the food in those situations that He provided baskets full of leftovers. Here’s what happens to many of us, however: we can challenge others to trust God as long as it’s their boat without enough bread. When it’s our boat, and our lack, and our hunger pangs, though, we too often forget in the present what God has done in the past.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever forget God’s blessings of yesterday?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, forgive me when I fail to remember even Your dramatic miracles in my life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Mark 8:22-30, Matthew 16:13-20, Luke 9:18-20, Mark 8:31-9:1, Matthew 16:21-28, Luke 9:21-27, Mark 9:2-13, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-36
