MAY 4

Mark 8:1-9
Memorise Mark 8:4
"From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?"

DO YOU DOUBT THE PROVISION OF GOD?

At times in Jesus’ ministry, great multitudes came to Him and stayed with Him for many days. In Mark 8:1-9 (and Matthew 15:30-38), the Bible tells us that a very great multitude of four thousand men, beside women and children, had come for healing and had been present with Jesus for three days. Now having nothing to eat, Jesus showed great compassion for the people and did not want to send them away hungry, knowing that some may faint on the way home having a long journey to travel. But when the disciples heard Jesus, they doubted Him and asked, "From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?" (Mark 8:4)

Why did the disciples ask such a question? They seemed to have great doubt in their minds, sincerely wondering where they would be able to source for the great quantity of food required to feed everyone. They were out there in the wilderness and the multitude was hungry! From what the disciples said, they believed Jesus was not just intending to feed the people by supplying a bit of food in order to sustain them for a brief period of time. The disciples were actually questioning how food would be supplied in such abundance so as to fill and fully satisfy the hungry multitude. The need of the situation was so great and dire. How were they going to have the means to provide for the hungry multitude? Had the disciples forgotten about the One who was showing concern and caring for the multitude, truly knowing their needs? This was not the first time this had happened. Could the disciples not remember that it was Christ who had previously fed a multitude of five thousand men, beside women and children? Did the disciples doubt that Christ could once again provide for this very great multitude?

Let us not have any doubt that our God knows and can provide for our every need. Christ had only seven loaves and a few small fishes, yet through the provision of God, the hungry multitude all did eat and were filled, and there was even an overabundance of food as seven baskets of fragments were collected. Christ had repeated a miracle and showed that He continually will have the power to provide us with all our needs. So let us not doubt the provision of God, but remember all that He has already done and will continue to do in our lives.

Thought: Do I believe in the continual provision of God to provide for my every need?
Prayer: O Lord, help me have faith with much thanksgiving and not doubt Thy provision.