How often do we do this? Highlight only the problems and not the possibilities of an issue? That is what Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother did:
Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up.“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
– John 6:8-9
Unbelief – Andrew saw the great crowd – it would take more than half a year’s wages to buy bread for each one to have a bite and how far will they go among so many?
Result of unbelief – nothing would have happened and the people would have been sent away hungry both physically and spiritually.
Believing – Based on Jesus’ words the disciples took action although it seemed impossible for they had never seen so many fed on this scale with five loaves and two fishes. They organized the people in groups and sat them down waiting in anticipation. Will and how will the people be fed?
Result of belief and action – They saw
– after the disciples got to work, Jesus took the five loaves and two fishes, gave thanks, and asked the disciples to distribute the bread and fish. – it was obedience and a partnership with the Lord
– there was a good finish -as they gathered the balance as Jesus told them not to waste and fill the baskets with the leftovers. He does exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think.
People saw the miracle Jesus performed and recognized Him as a Prophet. They were physically and spiritually fed.
Amazing things happen when we release things and issues into God’s hands as He commands us to do. We can walk away and let Him do what He will with them.
In one of my church bible study sessions on Experiencing God , a group leader shared how their cell group had several years ago prayed for one of its members to receive approval from the government authorities for him to remain in Singapore to work after completion of his professional studies. There were several schemes he could qualify to remain to work and he was not concerned which permit was approved, as long as it was approved. It took longer than usual for the application to be processed and he heard nothing on the status or progress of permit processing. At one point, when doubts assailed, he had to return to his home country (as his then study permit had expired) to await the response . When the answer finally came, it was the Lord answering beyond and above all expectations – he was offered permanent Singapore citizenship! The Lord wanted him to start a family and grow spiritually in Singapore! Praise the Lord when we experience God in our lives, we know that all He wants us to fulfill is to know Him and do the will of God and we do that in steps – first having a personal relationship with the Lord, knowing that God is always at work around us and invites us to join Him, hearing God speaking to us concerning His will for our part in His plans, facing a crisis of belief that requires faith and action on our part to join Him, making major adjustments to join God in what He is doing, then knowing God by experience as we obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through us.
Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Only believe, all things are possible to the honor and praise of our Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent Lord. Praise Him.
Will we believe Him?
I think of an old quote –
Inside the will of God there is no failure.
Outside the will of God there is no success.
When we believe God we ACT on His promises and we see His hand at work in all we do.
We serve an incredibly amazing God who delights to work in and through His blood-bought, adopted children.