Wait Upon the Lord

Scripture Mathew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said.  And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Do you know one of the things I love about my relationship with Jesus Friend? I love the fact that God is a teacher.  And if we are still open to listen Jesus is still discipling us, that is teaching us through the circumstances and situations of our life.  I often just like to think about the stories from the Bible (perhaps it is the Preacher in me, always looking for the hidden lesson) and lately I was thinking about the time when Jesus fed the 5,000 with only a few loaves and fish. And as I thought about it, I realized, Jesus didn’t feed the 5,000, the disciples did.  Jesus specifically told them, “You feed them”.  Yet he supplied the ability.

Then I stop in at the office at the church and there is a voice message on the answering machine from a family who had just moved into the area after a house fire.  They were calling to see if the church had any furniture they could have since they were starting out with nothing.  Now if you know me you know I have a big heart, and I am not saying that as much a compliment.  Because my big stupid naive heart can get me into trouble when I rush to help before I have thought things through.  So, I decided to think and pray about the situation first.  I was thinking and praying what would be the appropriate thing to do.  Should I do the leg work and find out if any local groups or charities had furniture?  Should I go to Walmart and buy them a bed? Did I have time to handle this situation and still get done what I needed to get done.  While I was thinking I decided to go for a short walk.  That’s where God showed up and spoke.  On my walk I found a futon and a dresser.  God’s timing is always perfect, and He answers our questions if we are willing to slow down and listen to Him.  I thank God that I am finally learning to wait on Him more and trying less to “be the good Christian” all in my own strength and wisdom.  (It can be exhausting trying to solve all life’s problems on my own!)  2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  It’s true if we slow down and wait on Him. 

Keep your eyes and ears open today to How God wants to Provide all you need for you to be used by Him in someone else’s life.

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Prayer: Jesus, I believe that you still speak.  I believe that you still move you still act and you still provide.  Help me to make space for you in my life.  Help me to quiet my heart to hear from you and to stop trying to do it all and figure it all out on my own.  Grant me patience as I commit to being patient with you knowing that you are never late.

Amen

Point to Ponder: Do I ask for God’s wisdom and help?   And if I do, do I slow down and wait expectantly for Him to answer and provide, or do I ask and then run off and try to figure it out on my own?

Verse to Memorize and Meditate on: 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Apply it to your life: Even if it is something simple, ask God to help you or give you an answer, to a problem you have been having.  Then take the time to slow down and wait on Him and expect a response.

Leave a comment below to share what God spoke to you specifically in this passage