The story of how Jesus fed the 5,000 is one that we have been hearing since we were children in Sunday School. However, reading it as an adult has opened my eyes to things I hadn’t seen before.

Jesus was actually grieving the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, when this event happened. Jesus withdrew himself from the crowd, like many of us would do, and went to a solitary place privately. After all that had taken place, I am sure he had a lot on His mind and needed time to process it all. However, as soon as the crowds heard of this, they went walking all the way to where Jesus was. Now Jesus could have very well asked them to leave or come back another day, but the Bible says that “he had compassion on them and healed their sick”. He put his own feelings aside and tended to the work God had set before him. Since the place Jesus had gone to was away from the town, the disciples encouraged him to send the people away, as it was getting late, and people were going to be hungry. Instead, Jesus chose to feed them right then and there. As we all know, there were only five loaves of bread and two fish, but Jesus never doubted that His Father would provide what was needed. He gave thanks for the food, trusting that it was already enough. In fact, there was actually food left over after all had eaten!

Friends, God will always meet our needs. We may not see it yet, but He will do it. Many times our faith is what lacks! We struggle to believe what we don’t see, so unless the provision is in front of us immediately, we doubt. But we can be sure that when we ask God to meet our needs according to His will, we can thank Him in advance because he will provide.

Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your sure provision in our lives. Help my trust in you be so great that there is no room for doubt. When I face sad or trying times, help me, even then, to be an example of faith, gratitude, and compassion to others. Thank you for always hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Matthew 14:19 (NIV).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.