THE GREAT PROVIDER - Matthew 14:13-21
What Does it Say?  Jesus had just heard that his cousin and friend, John the Baptist, had been beheaded.  He went away in a boat by himself to grieve. The crowds followed him and when he came ashore, they were waiting for Him.  He had compassion on them and healed the sick.  When evening came, the disciples urged Jesus to send them home for supper, Jesus told them to feed the people.  They told Him they only had enough food to feed one person.  Jesus tells them to bring what they had.  He tells the crowds to sit down, he prays and gives the food to the disciples to pass it out.  They fed 5,000 men and their families.
What Does it Mean?  When Jesus told the disciples to feed the people instead of sending them away, they said they only had five fish and two loaves.  The passage doesn't tell us where the food came from.  Jesus asked them to bring what they had to Him.  Jesus himself asked the people to sit down and He prayed.  Then he divided up the food and gave it to the disciples to pass out.  That is something they could do.  They would have felt kind of foolish passing out food to a huge crowd with a small basket and a very small amount of food.  God must have kept adding to what they had as they were serving.  The baskets never ran out of food.  God took what they had and multiplied it.  When God asks us to do something, we can be confident that He will give us whatever we need to accomplish the task.  I think of the first time I was asked to speak at an event for women.  I was very nervous and didn't think I could do it, but I prayed and started writing.  God told me what to write as I wrote.  Then I was scared stiff to stand up in front and talk, but God calmed my fears after I started talking; the message went well and women were encouraged.  When God asks you to do something, He will be faithful and make sure you have the resources you need to do it.  Tell God what you think you need and ask him to confirm it or show you a better way.  Then do what needs to be done, so you are ready when he does provide.  Our job is to be available; God's job is to provide.

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