“The Lord is going to be your provider, like the feeding of the five thousand.”
I stared at my bank account register on the computer screen. The memory of this prayer interrupted my logical and mathematical stream of thought, like an out-of-place conversation. It was part of a prayer that a stranger prayed over me several years ago. I looked at the bank account, then thought of the prayer. Bank account, prayer. Tangible, unexplainable. They seemed irreconcilable, like my bank account.
I’m not so great with numbers Lord, but things are not adding up.
Having recently become a single person with two children still at home, finances have been more than impossible.
I clicked out of the balance sheet and looked up the miracle feeding reference (John 6:1-13). How exactly did the disciples respond when Jesus said, “Hey, why don’t you guys just give this crowd something to eat? We can’t send them away now!”
If you read behind the lines of the exchange between Jesus and the disciples, there is a hint of sarcasm and overstating the obvious. In the background I hear something like, “Oh, sure, I’ll just whip out my checkbook and buy everybody pizza and wings! Are you serious? That would cost me my whole year’s salary!”
This is what the best teachers do for their students; they set up a learning experience instead of a lecture. Jesus’ learning experience included an impossible task and a miraculous outcome. He didn’t say, “Step aside boys, while I show you how it’s done!” Instead, he brought them in as part of the solution, as ridiculous as it seemed to them. He seriously wanted their input and participation in this miracle.
I put my own sarcastic thoughts on hold and ran upstairs to read and pray with my son at bedtime. My son is ten, and still lives to obey me. I turned to Galatians where we had been reading each night, but he surprised me by reaching up and grabbing the Bible out of my hands.
“Mom, let’s read something else tonight.”
I guess Galatians was boring him, or all that talk about circumcision was maybe a little embarrassing.
“I’m going to read from Matthew 14 instead,” he said, sounding very professor-like and parental.
“This is the story about the feeding of the five thousand.”
I muffled a nervous laugh and felt like someone had been snooping around in my mind. Somehow taking care of the three of us, or 5,000, is just the same to the Lord. It is never short of miraculous.
There is a second feeding of the multitudes recorded in the Scriptures (Mark 8:8), with a few less challenges from the disciples. Maybe they decided to keep their mouths shut and just start looking for those extra baskets.
by Jennifer Cleveland, A Quiet Writer
Leave a Comment
Debbie says
This passage of scripture is so perfect for my situation right now. Staring at an empty bank account is also familiar territory. I know God provides – He has before and He will continue to do so. It’s just in the waiting and wondering that I find myself doubting. Thanks for this great post.
Anonymous says
saying a prayer for you today…
Jenna says
We have this same issue. Been looking for a job to help that won’t require putting my kids in daycare.
jennifer says
Ugh, that is such a challenge. When my kids were little the Lord provided little jobs that didn’t require daycare…He is good, trusting Him with you
Vicky T. says
Wow! Thank you so much for this wonderful devotion. I can relate as my husband who still has a job, Praise the Lord!, has scheduled furloughs no increase in salary in almost two years and not including me and my husband, 6 mouths to feed and growing faster everyday! I see God moving and working constantly and yet like Debbie I still get anxious and worry as if He’s going to drop the proverbial ball. I am going to meditate on these two passages of scripture and pray for my unblief in this area of my life.
Blessings!
jennifer says
Awesome….I have to meditate on the theme of the Lord’s provision all the time! 🙂
Holley Gerth says
So glad all our needs are important to God and that all of them are possible–even when the feel impossible to us. Thanks for the reminder to trust.
jennifer says
Amen!
tammie says
so, so very good. thank you for this gift.
jennifer says
🙂
Susan Gay Jeffries says
I also wrote recently on the feeding of the five thousand. God is amazing, he can do anything without us, yet He invites us to join Him. He chooses to use what we have to offer.
jennifer says
That is such an amazing thought, he uses what we have to offer!!! wow
Nancy says
I’m so glad I read this post. You said “I put my sarcastic thoughts on hold”. Your sarcastic remarks make me laugh. They are so poinient. The bible is true when it says Laughter does good like a medicine. There are so many serious issues in my life that a chuckle doth help. My often said prayer is: God makes ways where there are no ways. Or, God, make a way where there is no way. It’s truly amazing how He manipulates things to make things come out ….changed for the better.
jennifer says
Might as well be real, right? 🙂
jennifer says
might as well be real, right?!
Elizabeth says
This made me laugh and cry at the same time. As a college student with a tight budget, fear and worry are easy company. Thanks for the reminder that God knows what we need. You brought a smile to my face today.
jennifer says
So glad! He sees and knows your need, and is so able…
lisa says
Out of the mouth of babes? how sweet a reminder of the Lords provision 🙂
jennifer says
YES! that was my favorite part about this story. 🙂
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
No matter how tight it seems, how impossible…you will make it thru, in His care…
jennifer says
Amen, He is faithful and so happy to provide 🙂
Jennifer says
Oh, I love the hope you offer in this post — the beautiful reminder that He is working in all of the details of our lives. Yes, He will provide! Thank you so much. I am so encouraged by your faith, by the love of the Father for us!
Blessings to you,
Jennifer
jennifer says
Hope is a beautiful thing! blessings!
Samantha says
Wonderful Jen! Thank you!
jennifer says
thanks faithful friend!
Christan Perona says
I love this… I love how God uses His youngest children to minister His grace to adults. Thank you.
jennifer says
Amen, the Father has such a sense of humor and loves a child like heart. 🙂
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