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Day 17 Mark 8:1-9 Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and broke, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. Have you ever wondered where your next meal was going to come from? You’ve come to the end of your pay period and it’s still a few days to payday and the wallet is empty and there aren’t enough funds in the bank for a gallon of milk, let alone food to feed yourself and your family. What do you do? The local food bank is an option in those times. Jesus had been preaching in the wilderness for three days. Whatever food the people brought with them was gone, and they needed to eat before Jesus sent them back to their homes. Some of whom had come a great distance. Jesus asked his disciples what food they had left and found seven loaves of bread and a few fish. With that, he had the people sit and broke the bread and blessed it, and gave it to everyone, and had food left over. As Christians, you know there are times when no amount of planning will give you enough money to pay your bills and food for the month. You can work your budget seven different ways, and still come up short. Yet, when you trust God to take care of you, your budget always finds a stretching point, and you have enough to see you safely through to your payday. David showed God’s mercy for those who put their trust in him. Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed. Jesus had compassion for the people. They had been with him for three days, and had no food left to see them safely home. Therefore, he provided the food, and there were leftovers. How many times in your life have you found that when you applied faith to your situation, and trusted God for the outcome, you not only had enough to pay your bills, you had enough food as well? Paul told the Philippians, he knew both hunger and bounty. Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. When you give to others, God gives back to you in overflowing abundance. The disciples gave what they had, which was not enough to feed four thousand people, but in Jesus’ hands, it was more than enough. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV) It’s okay to hold out your hand for God’s blessing. It’s even better to be God’s hand of blessing and give what is in your hand to those in need. Let’s pray: Father, take my small offering, and let it fill the needs of those who need. I know it isn’t a lot, but in your hands, it is. Fill me to overflowing with the leftovers of your goodness. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 23 July 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay