“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” (Matt 14:20)

I pray that you had a great day of worship and a blessed Lord’s Day with your local church. There are times we think of ourselves as insignificant and unnoticed. In the large scheme of things, we may be overlooked or left out. Not so when GOD is Host. There is enough for all! Yet so often our response to God’s presence or His word, we act with great caution and little faith. The disciples possibly began to distribute the supplies with great care, but soon discovered that as group after group were provided for, their faith increased, and they became lavish in their distribution. Every appetite was satisfied with bread and fish, and there was plenty for all. We can learn from this scripture passage that God’s supplies are as great as the demand. Even greater, for He “is able to make all grace abound toward you…having all sufficiency…have an abundance for every good work” (2 Cor 9:8). Only listen and hear the Spirit saying “my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Php 4:19). God is attuned and attentive to His children because He cares for each of them. He is the Great Provider, but also notice that He is a wise Administrator. He was prudent “and they took up the fragments,” of what was left. His provisions include enough blessing for others and for continued blessings as well. There is no waste with God. The early church “had all things in common” and shared all that they had “as anyone had need” (Acts 4:32-35). There are lessons we can learn from this occasion in scripture. All things are to be done decently and in order. The multitude was made to sit down in companies of fifty. There was no crowding or pushing. No chaos. We also see that before the distribution, the meal began with the giving of thanks. “Looking up to Heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave to the disciples.” God is the source of our strength and all our supply. Give Him thanks. My friend, God graciously supplies more than the bare necessaries of life. It is from His hands that He “giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim 6:17). He gives and blesses into our lives even greater than we can think or imagine. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matt 7:11). Father, thank You for Your love and care to supply my every need and fill my life with Your abundant joy. Teach me and guide me to live in such fellowship with You that every act may be a Psalm, every meal a sacrament, every room a sanctuary, and every thought a prayer. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

Loving parents have a keen sense to their child. Even before a child can speak, a parent is aware of what the child needs. Many loving parents have experienced the midnight cry and have been awakened from a deep sleep, hearing the slightest movement or soft whimper from their child in the night. Loving couples look at one another and discern the need or question in their dearly beloved’s heart. It is as if we are more finely tuned toward the needs and murmurs of those for whom we have great love. Our scripture passage reminds us of the deep love that God has for us. We are God’s children. We are God’s beloved. Our emotions, the questions in our hearts, the fears and anxieties that trouble us, the longings of our soul are in God’s heart even ‘before they call” or before we recognize them for ourselves. God is never too distant or too busy to listen to the disturbances of our mind and the troubles in our soul. God’s promise that “I will hear” ought to bring relief and comfort to our heart. No longer stressed to say the perfect prayer. No longer burdened to identify every mystery or every shade of discomfort. Like a child who runs to their mother with great assurance, sometimes before knowing why, we can simply bring ourselves into the presence of our loving heavenly Father and trust that God will identify the reasons behind our sobs and sighs. With maternal tenderness, heaven eases our uneasiness. Before we even know our need, God “will answer” and provide. No need to labor with worry and wonder with an anxious mind to figure it all out. Just go to our Father in heaven who hears, “while they are yet speaking” and He will answer and give you rest. He is always with you, wherever you go (Ex 33;14). Dear friend, hear Jesus say, “Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). Take comfort to know that our Father, hears the hurts within our soul and will fill our needs even when we are not sure what they are. Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your tender mercies and the rest You provide through Your Son Jesus. You know every child and know the deepest secrets of our heart and soul. Father, I marvel at Your goodness that You answer, “before they call.” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.