God Will Provide

As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 

That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” 

But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” 

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 

“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. Matthew 14:13-20 NLT 

Have you ever noticed the verse that follows the five-loaves-and-two-fish story: “When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself” (John 6:15)? 

Let’s pause and take this in: Jesus had the chance to be the most popular person in Israel. But becoming a fish-and-loaves factory wasn’t why Jesus was sent. He had his eyes fixed on the cross, the tomb, and eternal life with us. 

Jesus didn’t do everything others wanted; he simply did what God asked. No more, no less. He understood that while people thought another free meal would fill them, what they really needed was a Savior who could satisfy their soul hunger. 

We will have requests to do many good things, but we can ask, “What’s God’s very best in my life today?” We discover the answer by spending time in his presence with his Word and by listening to his heart. Our loving God not only supplies but also multiplies. He will give us everything we need to do his will. 

God, you know all our needs and how to provide for them. You are limitless. You never run out of time, energy, or goodness. Thank you that we can trust you to give us more than what we want and that you instead give us what’s truly and eternally best. Amen. 

Holley Gerth 
Cheering You On 

Looking for more inspiration? You can find hope & encouragement in God’s Word every day with the new DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible now available for pre-order.