5000 and Counting...
April 26, 2013
pic from freedigitalphotos.net
The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24 NLT)
In my 32 years I've seen a lot of rough times. But I've also experienced so much blessing that it should turn the most adamant unbeliever into a devout Jesus Freak. I think we can all say that. Even when hard times seem to be unrelenting, if we take a moment to look over our lives, we'd have to admit the daily outpour of God's grace on us makes all the trouble pale in comparrison.
If only I could remember that during the storms. It seems the enemy is coming at me from every angle here lately. I'm in the middle of a season that is trying me where it counts - my faith.
Remember when Jesus fed the 5000? There were a lot of people. The people were hungry. Food was scarce. It looked grim. But God was with them...literally! The disciples had a momentary lapse of faith - a streak of doubt.
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. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:19-21
Everyone was amazed. God made a way. He made the impossible possible.
But a short time (just ONE chapter) later after Jesus and His disciples traveled along the Sea of Galilee, they reached a mountainside where there gathered together another large group for some of that annointed teaching from THE Teacher Himself. This time 4000 hungry souls needed nourishment. Here again the disciples wondered how in the world they would feed this mammoth group. Oh how quickly they forgot!
His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” Matthew 15:33
Oh how quickly we forget.
For all intents and purposes, this problem on the mountainside was 'smaller' than the previous debacle. Yet the disciples went in to panic mode yet again - forgetting how The Father took care of them the last time when the need was even bigger. Does that sound familiar?
It sure is familiar to me! If it's not one thing it's another especially these days. And every time adversity surfaces, I panic. I forget Who is hiking up that mountain with me making the impossible possible; teaching me along the way; making what little I have enough - each and every day.
Recalling God's work in our own lives is key to maintaining joy in all circumstances. Our God is faithful and we ought to show our faith in Him by trusting Him with our lives...even when they're a little sticky. We have all had rough times, and they will continue until we leave this world. But we know Jesus provided a way the last 5000 times, and He WILL do it again!
With the faithful
You prove Yourself faithful...
2 Samuel 22:26 HCSB
Posted by Joi James.
