Sometimes the Lord allows circumstances so difficult and sparse, that life can feel desperate. These desperate times, when forced beyond myself and my own resources, allow me to see that it is the Lord’s Hand that has saved and still saves me. Through His Mighty Power and Outstretched Arm, the victory; the overcoming; the provision; are obtained. Life is more than dust and flesh. It is more than food and clothes for the body. And sometimes, it takes a desolate place to draw my heart to His.
Judges 7
2 The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ ESV
Gideon worshiped and he obeyed. And the Lord prevailed and provided the victory.
In Mark 6, Jesus calls His disciples to a desolate place for rest and reprieve.
31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” ESV
And yet, while there, so much in demand, that ministry continues:
35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii[f] worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. ESV
Five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand men. The Lord blesses the loaves and fishes so that there is more than enough. There are many areas in my life that are like the loaves and fishes. Can I give them to the Lord and watch Him multiply the provision? There are times when the steps and actions I take feel so small before that path that lays ahead and beyond me. It is here that the Lord is calling me to faith. And this is His gift to me.
Lord, I ask You to clear my eyes. Remove the film of the flesh and the world so that I can see with eyes of faith. So that I, like Gideon and his three hundred, can blow my trumpet victorious and hold my torch high! So that I can see the work of Your Spirit like Peter, greater than what came before, a living flow for what is ahead. So that I can proclaim again and again that you take my loaves and fishes and you make them MORE THAN ENOUGH. Help me to recognize You when You come walking on the water in my life. Forgive me, Lord. Renew my heart in You.
Rebecca (offerings.becca)
Sixty-six books in a year 
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