Scripture
‘When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” ‘ –John 6:5-9
https://my.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.6.5-9
Observation
The situation was hopeless. A large crowd was looking to Jesus and the disciples for provision, and they had no way to meet the need. Jesus had the solution, but wanted to test Philip. “Where shall we buy bread?” Philip’s answer ignored the question, because he saw only the hopelessness of the situation. “It would take more than half a year’s wages!” Philip didn’t have half a year’s wages to spend, and his answer only proclaimed the size of the obstacle. Andrew also saw no solution, but his reply was a testament to his faithfulness. “Here Lord–You asked where we could find the resources, and here are the resources we have. I still see no solution, but I have done what you asked me to do!” Jesus in His divine power was able to take the limited resources that Andrew brought, and release His limitless potential to meet the need. The only thing He required, was faithfulness.
Application
There are areas in my life that look hopeless and impossible to overcome. There are obstacles for which I see no solution. There are situations that demand resources which I don’t have. It’s easy in moments like this to ignore the voice of the savior, and focus on the size of the problem. “Here, God! Here is the size of the problem that I face! Here are the dimensions of the mountain in front of me!”. Jesus already knows the size of my problem, far better than I. What he requires from me is faithfulness. My part is to be faithful with the limited resources that I have, and put them in the hands of my Savior.
Prayer
God, thank you for your faithfulness to me! Help me to keep my focus on You, and not on the size of the mountains that face me. Teach me to be faithful with the little that I have, so that you may use it for Your glory.