Mark 8:4-10

Mark 8:4-10 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

Have you ever felt you were in a remote place, a place where a miracle could not happen, a place where things were too desperate? I have, and I am sure most of you have. In those times, it seems as if where God is not, I am. Well, He is also there. In the above situation, notice Jesus starts to give orders immediately. He asks the disciples to take inventory of what they do have, and then He blesses it, and it becomes sufficient for the day. They even gather an abundance of leftovers. I think that is the way we must attack life sometimes. We first need to know that God is with us and that He is going to bless us; then we need to take inventory of what we do have. If we are still breathing, which we are, we always have something to build upon. In today's scripture, they had seven loaves and a few fish, not nearly enough to feed all the people. The inner circle, the privileged few, might have gotten a few bites from the beggarly inventory that they did have. But Jesus had a bigger vision--He wanted to feed all of the people. He wanted to provide completely for the needs that were before him. He was not limited by the small supply of food set before him.

This, of course, is what Jesus wants to do in our lives. He wants to come to our aid today. The crowd wasn't going to be fed by Jesus tomorrow, but for that day only. Some of us feel that we are on the fringe of the crowd. We know our lives are not close to him, but He still wants to feed us. He blessed the loaves and fish to feed all the people, even the mockers hanging around the edges. He wants to feed us regardless of how far we are from him. Jesus wants you to go home satisfied, but first you must accept what you do have and bless it. Don't look for what you don't have, but bless what you do have. If you have strength today, use it. If your mind is functioning well today, use it. God will bless your efforts. What if the disciples would have said, this is impossible. I am not going to waste my time, organizing and seating the people. I am not gathering any loaves or fish; this is an impossible task. Nothing would have happened. Jesus blesses what you do have, that which is your present reality. JESUS SAID, “How many loaves do you have?” Faith demands that. Today, how many loaves and fish do you have? How much strength do you have? Use it. God can make much out of little. Regardless of how you feel today or where you are on your spiritual journey, He can and will provide. He can make this day successful. Even if you can't get off your sick bed, He can make this day successful, and you will go home satisfied. You go forth from his presence, knowing that you have been with God, having received his miraculous, abundant supply. Truly, little is much when God is in it.