16 Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way.
17 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. 18 “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. 19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.” Genesis 18:16-19, NLT, emphasis mine.
The Lord lets Abraham in on his plan (Abraham–imperfect, impatient, faithful), and Abraham intercedes on behalf of Sodom.
God doesn’t need help to do anything. But I wonder, does he let us in on his plans to see what we’ll do?
Jesus tells the disciples to go out without provisions.
Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. 7 And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. 8 He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. 9 He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes. Mark 6:6b-9, NLT.
They go out in faith, for faith, and they will be fed. God provides.
The numbers of people seeking Jesus grow.
35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”
37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.” Mark 6:35-37a, NLT.
Miracles in chapters of God’s promises and provision and this verse lands at my feet with a thud.
You feed them.
The disciples protest: “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” Mark 6:37b, NLT.
Could they trust in God’s provision for themselves, but not see how God could use them to care for others?
38 “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”
They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.
41 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. 42 They all ate as much as they wanted, 43 and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. 44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed. Mark 6: 38-44, NLT.
Does he let us in on his plans to see what we’ll do?
I feel overwhelmed by the need around me. I can’t do much with my little loaves, and I forget how God multiplies. He can take something small (ten righteous people to spare a sinful city … five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd … the life of his son to save the world) and he can do big things. He is El-Shaddai—God Almighty.
Jesus performs miracles. He’s walking on water, and the disciples are afraid.
50 They were all terrified when they saw him.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, 52 for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. Mark 6:50-52, NLT, emphasis mine.
Lord, you are at work softening my heart. Are you waiting to see what I will do? I pray that I will step out and answer your call, even with my little loaves–you do great things. God almighty.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 