You Do It!
YOU DO IT!
Key Verse:
"But Jesus said to them, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'" Matthew 14:15 NIV
Revelation
The day has come to an end. All have traveled by foot to this deserted place. Many have experienced difficulty on the journey. Hunger and unquenched thirst have set in. About 15,000 people have been pressing in looking for healing, looking to find ministry. The twelve disciples are ready to be done. They know the people need to eat, but they are not prepared to meet such a need. Instead of thinking about a miracle, in their exhaustion, they turn to Jesus and basically say, “Let the people take care of their own needs. It’s late and we’re tired!”
Isn’t that exactly how it feels at the end of a long day when we are emotionally and physically spent? “Can I just be done and let the kids take care of their own dinner? Can’t everyone just read their own bible to find the answers to all of life’s questions for themselves!?” The disciples were no different. They were ready to throw in the towel and call it a day.
But, Jesus...
In this passage we read that while Jesus intended to go off alone to get some rest, He was followed by crowds of people instead. Rather than insisting on His own need for solitude, He put their needs above His own. When the disciples suggested sending the multitude away to find their own food, Jesus operated out of compassion and commanded the disciples to take the next step to feed the people. Soon after, another excuse to send the people away surfaced – “but we only have five fish and two loaves!” I can almost see the grin on Jesus’ face and hear the chuckle in His voice as He responded, in essence, “Okay, bring what you have to Me. I will bless it, but YOU are going to feed the masses. YOU are going to take care of them.”
God is always willing to do His part. This is just one of many examples we have in scripture of this truth. But, in order to see God do His part, there is an expectation that we will do ours. We must be willing, obedient and open. We must be ready to GO when He says “GO!” We need to take the NEXT STEP when it is time to take that step.
I recently heard Joyce Meyer say, “You have to be ready to take the first step without knowing what the second step looks like.” That couldn’t be truer! The disciples knew they didn’t have enough to give of their own portion, but Jesus blessed the moment they became willing and open to do what He said. On handing that measly little dinner to Jesus – the moment they took that first step of faith – their second step unfolded and became exceedingly above and beyond anything they could have hoped or imagined! They not only fed everyone, but they filled up twelve more baskets to care for their own needs.
Whatever the NEXT STEP God is calling you to take, don’t hesitate any longer. Take the step. When you take your “little” to Jesus, He will supply “the much” that you need to walk forward in Godliness.
PRAYER
Lord, THANK YOU for pushing us to GO! Thank You for providing more than enough when we are willing to take that first step of faith toward what you are calling us to. We know You will see us through every step we take toward the purpose of Your kingdom. Please help us to be obedient to Your plan.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen
Questions
What is that NEXT STEP God is asking you to take?
Has He been nudging you to attend church more regularly
or sign up for a Freedom Group?
Do you have a desire to help the elderly but have never taken that step to visit a nursing home?
Is there a friend who could use a little quality time?
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