Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Matthew 15:36, ” And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. “

Background

Opportunity or obstacle. We tend to look at a challenge in one of these two ways, don’t we? Most of you have probably seen that one frame comic strip about never giving up, where the frog is mostly swallowed by this giant bird, but he still has his little hands around the birds neck. Our days can be like this, bringing one challenge after another, regardless of how we spend our time. Work can have unexpected, urgent requests that mess up your day’s plans. Or maybe an employee calls in sick and now you’ve got to figure out how to get things covered. Perhaps a delivery is going to be late and an important customer is not going to be happy. And then there are the challenges on the domestic front. Has a morning with the kids ever started like you hoped or planned? Who has made it to lunch time without something being broken, or a mess being made, or an argument needing to be settled? These things blindside you with the skill of a marksmen. And the disciples of Jesus were met with their own challenges, too. Having to find enough food to feed 4,000 men and their families in the wilderness was not in the bulletin that morning. No room had been booked for this banquet. But Jesus showed them where the power is to meet any challenge. He showed them how to look at their obstacles.

Application

The disciples wondered where could they get enough bread, since they only had 7 loaves. But the real question should have been what will we do with all the leftovers? Jesus thanked God for the loaves and fish that He had. He didn’t ask God why He didn’t have more. He didn’t declare if only He had a few more loaves, then things would be alright. He didn’t pin His hopes on winning the bread lottery in order to solve His problem. He thanked God for what God had given Him. The opportunity before Him was one to glorify the Great Provider. So expect some opportunities today, whether it’s spilled milk or lost business. Spread God’s grace, and then go collect the leftovers.

Charge

As we seek Him today, thank God for the little annoyances that remind us of how much we still need a Savior. Ask God to be glorified in how you respond to your challenges, and praise Him for the countless blessings that come your way.