Matthew 14:13-36

Be Still: Father help me as I read your Word. By your Spirit, I want to become more like Jesus today. Amen.

Read: Matthew 14:13-36

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  (v20)

Encounter: If my Mum is hosting a dinner for the family, one thing you can guarantee is that we will always have enough food. In fact, there will always be way too much food! It’s a running joke in our family, but I love the abundance and generosity Mum brings to the way she hosts. 

Here in the story of the feeding of the five thousand, we see not only the provision, but the abundance of God. We see Jesus in his compassion and power heal a large number of sick people and when he is left with a hungry crowd, his disciples don’t know what to do. What the disciples are yet to understand, is that Jesus alone will always be enough. He takes five loaves and two fish, multiplies, feeds the crowd, everyone is satisfied and there’s still so much left over! 

Apply: Are you waking up today to the generosity of Jesus? Are you confident he can provide for you and use you today to bless others? Yes, he can meet your practical needs as we pray, 'Give us our daily bread'; he can also meet our deepest spiritual and emotional needs. He doesn’t just want to provide; he wants to bless. Every spiritual blessing is available in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). He can satisfy and there will still be an abundance left over.

Bring your needs to God today. Ask him to fill you with his Holy Spirit. You can ask to be continually filled by his Spirit; he won’t run out. Bring him your small offering today (whatever is in your 'packed lunch') to be multiplied as a blessing to others. The abundance of God today is to be satisfied in him, spilling over, with still a lot left over. Just Jesus will always be enough. 

 Devote: Lord I do not want to live out of scarcity, but out of your abundant generosity. Help me see that you are always enough.