Jul 31

John 6:1-11
Memorise James 1:17
“…in every thing give thanks…”

We have here the example of Jesus giving thanks for the “five barley loaves and two small fishes” (John 6:9) before He performed the miraculous act of feeding the five thousand men and many other women and children with this small portion of food. By doing this, Jesus was acknowledging that His Heavenly Father is the provider of this food as well as the miracle. Jesus shows us that we should thank God for our daily bread. He alone is able to provide for all our needs and even far more than what we ask for, as shown in this miracle. The great multitude of people was filled and there were even twelve baskets full of fragments left over. Jesus shows us the importance of being grateful to God for the little things that sustain us physically as well. We should “in every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) as “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

We pray in the Lord’s prayer, “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) and indeed, God provides. Many of us have never needed to worry about our next meal for we live in abundance. But some can only live day by day with no certainty that their stomachs will be filled. Yet for all who call God their Father, we can unanimously give thanks to Him for providing for us, His children. He “knoweth that we have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32) and will take care of us. We should thus be grateful to Him for all things. Always remember to thank God before each meal you partake of and do it with a truly thankful spirit. Do not just treat it as a routine without meaning what you say. Do not also try to hide from unbelievers that you are praying before you eat because you feel embarrassed. Let it instead be a consistent testimony to others that you acknowledge your God who provides for your every physical need.

Thought: Do you really thank God for your food with a grateful heart?
Prayer: Thank You for providing for my every need, Lord.