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In yesterday’s post, I shared about Jesus provides all we need in the wilderness. It is in those places where we feel alone or barren that He makes provision for us.

Today let’s return to Mark Chapter 8. The disciples ask, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

Jesus answers their question with a question of His own: “How much bread do you have?” (verse 5, NLT).

Jesus does not ask them, “How much do you need to feed all the people?”. He does not focus on the lack but solely on what is present.

The crowd was large – about 4,000 – and the number of loaves of bread small in comparison – about 7.

One does not need to be a mathematician to know the numbers do not compute.

As far as I can see, we are told the numbers for one reason and one reason only –

To magnify the greatness of what is about to occur.

If the response had been 500 loaves of bread, it probably would not have been as amazing for everyone to be fed as they would have ample supply. But we all know that seven loaves would never feed 4,000 people. No way. No how.

But something happens when we offer the Lord the little we have and let Him do with it as only He can.

He honors our faith in giving and the little becomes sufficient. He takes our lives and uses them in ways we never could imagine. He does not require anything of us that He has not already equipped us to do:

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” (2 Peter 1:3, NLT)

“… may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21, NLT)

Let’s return to that day with the crowd …

Jesus took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them up for the disciples to distribute to the crowd. Now I am not sure how it happened, but the more they dispersed to the crowd, the more there continued to be. The people ate as much as they wanted and there was still leftovers.

When we offer up the little we have,
our little becomes more than enough.
It becomes excess.
Abundance.
And no one goes without.

 

 

Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Women With Intention .