Watch God Make a Lot Out of Your Little

by | Mar 15, 2022 | Battles, Faith, Fear | 26 comments

Where do you need God’s provision? Do you need more time, energy, money, or talent?

My friend Sandi retired from work at the same time the prices of insulin shot up. One jumped to over a $900 copay for a three-month supply and the other to over $1000. The leap in prices and dip in income tempted her to fret.

But Sandi embraced this as a faith challenge. God knew her needs. How would He supply? Should she lower her missionary support?

We all face problems that overwhelm our resources. John 6:1-14 shows how Jesus multiplies our limited resources for His glory and our growth.

Supernatural Provision for 5000 Hungry Men and Their Families

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do” (John 6:5-6 NIV).

Jesus asked this only to test Philip. I wonder how He hoped Philip would respond.

Let’s imagine how faith might reply. I picture Philip crossing his arms and cocking his head as he looks at Jesus. As understanding dawns, his face relaxes and his eyes twinkle. “What do You have in mind, Lord? Do I detect a miracle?”

However, the real Philip looked at the size of the crowd instead of at Jesus. He said, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (Jn. 6:7 NIV)

If they couldn’t provide even a bite for each person, why would they consider supplying a meal? Even if they could afford to buy that much food, how would they transport it? The situation was impossible.

Andrew showed a spark of faith. “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish.” He then looked at the other disciples and realized how ridiculous he sounded. “But how far will they go among so many?” (Jn. 6:9).

The disciples knew they couldn’t feed the crowd so, except for Andrew, they didn’t even look for options. When have you held back what you have because you knew it wasn’t enough?

When have you held back what you have because you knew it wasn’t enough? #faith, #Provision Click To Tweet

But Jesus didn’t think Andrew was silly. He took the boy’s lunch and told the disciples to have the people sit on the grass.

 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten” (Jn. 6:11-13).

It’s natural to evaluate a need in light of our resources. But God calls us to evaluate needs in light of His resources.

It’s natural to evaluate a need in light of our resources. But God calls us to evaluate needs in light of His resources. #supernatural #hope Click To Tweet

Sandi mentioned her retirement to her doctor who supplied her with two years of free insulin. When the doctor was unable to continue, Sandi asked us to pray with her for God’s provision.

In the meantime, Sandi added two more missionaries to her charitable giving. I later received her text explaining that the pharmacy charged her only $5.00 for one of the insulins. “I can pay that!” she said. “I will get a prescription for the more expensive one when I see the doctor. So, what else will God do?”

What problems dwarf your human resources? Bring Jesus what you have. A little in the hands of Jesus is more than enough.

Lord Jesus, help me live with joyful anticipation of Your supernatural provision for my needs today. 

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19 NASB).

Click here to comment.

Blessings,

Debbie Wilson

Photo by Emiliano Vittoriosi on Unsplash

Sometimes I link with these great sites:

#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory and here #Recharge Wednesday, #Grace&Truth,

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26 Comments

26 Comments

  1. Nancy E. Head

    We need to trust God in everything. So many things we worry about never come to pass. They’re tests we don’t always do well on. He’s building us. Thanks, Deb, for a great message.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Thank you, Nancy. We always have a choice on whether to trust or to fret.

  2. Brenda

    I needed to read this. My spouse and I are both retired. We did not do a good job preparing for this time. We are on a budget now to keep from living on our savings. But God has been so good to us. We continue to give.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Brenda, God supplies in the most surprising ways. May He continue to do so for you!

  3. Ashley Rowland | HISsparrowBlog

    I love how you described God’s provision for the 5000: it “shows how Jesus multiplies our limited resources for His glory and our growth.” This is a wonderful reminder to me that even math surrenders to the will of God.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Ashely, love how you said that: “even math surrenders to the will of God.” Amen!

  4. J.D. Wininger

    Amen Ms. Debbie. We must remember that God honors our faith as we honor Him with our trust and obedience. Well said ma’am. He is always faithful.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Yes He is! Thanks for being a faithful reader, J.D.

  5. Ann J Musico

    He is absolutely amazing. I have never been disappointed in His provision. He has been so faithful to me and my family and I am so grateful.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Ann, I love hearing your testimony of God’s faithfulness. It is so good to remember when life looks uncertain. He never changes!

  6. Barbara Harper

    I remember in college a guest speaker in chapel told how he had literally given everything in his life over to God. When the car broke down, he prayed, “Lord, your car needs repairs” and trusted God to provide. God is more than able to meet our needs–we just need to look to Him and trust.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Barbara, when I practice that I have such peace. Sometimes I forget and take things back. Thanks for sharing that.

  7. Barb Hegreberg

    It’s good to remember that we can’t outlive God. The more we surrender to Him, the richer our lives we will be!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Barb, training ourselves to look at Him instead of our circumstances. He never fails.

  8. Jan

    I love the way you wrote this, straightforward and simple, that you tell about folks’ faithful giving despite their circumstances. They continued to focus on their obedience and the love of our Father rather than on promises of abundance. In turn we give because we love Him for what He’s already done for us-not for what He will do for us. To me it’s all about faith and obedience.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Jan, I agree. Trust and obey!

  9. Michele Morin

    I am SO dependent on God’s lot for my little!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Me too, Michele!

  10. Katherine Pasour

    With a fresh look at a familier story, you have given us a message of hope and joy. Thank you, Debbie. In times like these, we need hope and our Lord will not fail us.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Amen, Katherine. So much to distress us in the news. We need the Good News about Jesus.

  11. Annie Yorty

    Amen, Debbie! God does more than we can ask or imagine.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Hallelujah, what a savior!

  12. Jeannie Waters

    Debbie, as I read your post, God reminded me of a need and encouraged me to trust Him for it. This portion is a powerful keeper: “It’s natural to evaluate a need in light of our resources. But God calls us to evaluate needs in light of His resources.”

    • Debbie Wilson’

      Jeannie, what a difference it makes to know he meets our needs according to his resources. Thank you for reading and sharing.

  13. Sandra Hastings

    A truth that we need to be constantly reminded of. It was very practical and encouraging.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Sandra, I certainly need to be reminded. Thanks so much.

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