Matthew 15:34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

Jesus was teaching His disciples something very important, even though the passage says nothing about teaching. That was, whatever they had was enough for whatever God wanted them to do, regardless of what society or even logic might tell them. Jesus had previously fed a large crowd from one boy’s lunch, and here He was about to do it again. The point wasn’t how much they had, but whether it was fully given to God. It isn’t that supplies and logistics are unimportant, but that our focus needs to be on God and what He’s telling us to do. Many projects have been abandoned because of human, materialistic thinking, when we serve the God who created the universe with a word. If He says to do something, He will supply everything necessary for the task.

This applies to me in several areas right now. In the first place, my wife and I will be going on a trip that in dollar amount will cost close to our annual income when we were first married. Of course, inflation over 57 years has drastically changed the practical value of a dollar in that interval, but it’s still a significant amount. However, God has made it clear that this is His plan for us, and He is providing the funds and everything else necessary. In the second place, just before we leave, the church will be holding its annual business meeting, and some in the church who are from a denominational background are very concerned about a budget and project planning. I love them, but that has never been the way God has guided this church. We do need to ask the Lord if He has specific events for which we are to plan, but He has always provided what we needed, sometimes in shocking ways and sometimes later than we wanted, but always perfectly. I am to be aware of what we have on hand, as in the bread and the fish, but I am never to hold back from what God says to do because what we have, as the world sees it, seems insufficient. As the saying goes, “Where God guides, He provides.” I am to walk in peace in that assurance, focused on listening obediently to my Lord and trusting Him with everything.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I ask for wisdom in dealing with all the people and expectations around me. Help me share Your love with them, not rejecting anyone or anything, but allowing You to grow us all as You see fit, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!