‘…they took up twelve baskets full…’ Mark 6:43 NKJV
Basket people. A boy gave his lunch to Jesus and He used it to feed five thousand people. Afterwards, ‘They took up twelve baskets full of the fragments.’ Basket people find a need greater than their own and say, ‘Lord, here’s what I have; take it, bless it and use it.’ What a contrast this boy was to the disciples. Notice: (1) They tried to escape the problem. ‘Send them away, that they may go…and buy themselves bread…’ (Mark 6:36 NKJV) Your faith only grows by facing your problems and looking to God for answers. Indeed, when you solve the problem you position yourself to receive what God has in store for you next. (2) They didn‘t know what they had. Jesus said, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see…’ (Mark 6:38 NKJV) Moses had a rod, but it parted the Red Sea. David had a slingshot, but it brought down a giant. You may not know it, but God has given you the answer. He’s given you something capable of multiplying once you put it into His hands. The key is, ‘Go and see.’ (3) They despised the day of small things. ‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?’ (John 6:9 NKJV) Instead of looking at your lack, look at God’s abundance and His willingness to work on your behalf. ‘Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin…’ (Zechariah 4:10 TLB) Factor God into the equation. The formula for success is you – plus God!
SoulFood: Josh 16:1-19:23, Luke 20:9-19, Ps 20, Pr 23:10-12
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2013
