GOD IS NOT INTIMIDATED BY LACK
"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
Matthew 14:17 (NIV)
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14:20-21 (NIV)
Summer is typically my favorite time of the year. It carries a certain carefreeness as days are long and schedules flex to accommodate vacations and summer fun. However, a recent summer felt anything but carefree. I had far more to do than time to do it. I felt my limitedness and felt overwhelmed by lack. Lack of time. Lack of understanding. Lack of strength to get it all done.
In that season, God directed my thoughts to the passage of Scripture where Jesus fed the five thousand. For context, crowds had followed Jesus and his disciples to a desolate place where Jesus spent the day teaching and healing. As evening came, the disciples told Jesus to send the people back to their villages so they could buy themselves food. But He answered, You give them something to eat. (Mark 6:37 NIV). The disciples immediately felt overwhelmed. The amount of bread it would take to feed this crowd far exceeded their resources. All they had available was five loaves of bread and two fish. But that’s not what Jesus saw. Where they saw limitations, Jesus saw miraculous provision. Where they saw not enough, Jesus saw overflowing abundance. He took the few loaves everyone deemed insufficient and provided food that satisfied thousands, plus twelve baskets full of leftovers.
This account reminded me that lack is no issue for God. Where I see limitations, He still sees miraculous provision. Where I see not enough, He still sees overflowing abundance. He can multiply what currently exists, and He has the power to create something out of nothing. In his Kingdom, there is no such thing as scarcity. He can always step into our lack and abundantly provide what we need.
APPLICATION: Psalm 23:1 also reminds us that we lack nothing with the Lord as our Shepherd. Meditate on this verse using a breath prayer, which is a simple way to connect with God by speaking Scripture while you breathe in and out. As you inhale, affirm the Lord is my Shepherd, and as you exhale, declare I lack nothing.
PRAYER: Father, help me trust Your power to defy limitations and provide. Nothing is impossible for You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?