Trusting in God’s Provision

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. -John 6:5-14

The multitudes were coming, and have in fact come. There is so much need, Lord. When we look at it fully, we can become easily overwhelmed. We see our pain, our mistakes, our fragile emotional state, the betrayals and wounding we’ve suffered, our family members’ ill health, our financial worries, our adult children away from the Church…

Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.

I imagine Philip’s tone to have an edge of hopelessness. “How can we possibly meet all this need? What am I supposed to do?” We too, have each undoubtedly faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. I cringe as I think about how many times my initial response was to concede to frustration and hopelessness.

Andrew said,

there is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?

Ah, a spark of hope. Thank you, Andrew, for reminding us to come before the Lord just as we are, even when what we bring seems as nothing in the face of the mountain in front of us.

I come to the Lord with my nothingness, my poverty, my weaknesses and mistakes – such a pitiful offering. And yet, as I extend this offering to Him, I sense Him smiling at me, grateful that I would trust Him with the little I have. He alone knows how often I’ve chosen to stay stuck in the mindset of scarcity, focusing on my lack rather than on His abundance.

Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them… as much as they wanted.

Thank You Jesus, for receiving my poor offering with thanksgiving to the Father! Thank You for multiplying my tiny offering and making it enough; often, more than enough. You will continue to provide as I continue to offer. What a beautiful exchange! My poverty for Your riches!

As I’ve prayed with these verses in John’s gospel, the Lord has helped me to see my presumptuousness. He’s shown me how I’ve falsely presumed that unless I do enough, have enough, pray enough, then He cannot work a particular circumstance out. There is a subtle lie we can get caught in: “It’s up to me,” or “I have to do something about this.” And when the circumstance is beyond our capacity and seems insurmountable, we often choose hopelessness. This is the underbelly of pride and self-reliance! God surely can make something out of nothing!

’Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.

Just when hopelessness seems like a good option, may we remember to reach our hands into the basket…and there is more. Lots more. God is good, and His provision is a bottomless well. He will never run out. He has all that we seek.

He IS all that we seek.

Closing Prayer: Thank You Father God, for Your provision in my life. Give me eyes to see the blessings and the grace that You are continuously showering upon me. You are the source of everything that I need; for myself and for those whom you’ve entrusted to me. You are the source of the love, the healing, the mercy, the compassion that we desire. I offer myself fully to You, Lord, just as I am. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Copyright 2024, De Yarrison