I don’t like it when God’s not doing His job. You know, fixing the problems of this world. Keeping cancer away from precious people. Helping cure anxious hearts. Dealing with the burdens we carry.
You and I have probably eyed a few job descriptions throughout our lives. We get what we’re supposed to do in our jobs because it’s laid out for us. But have you ever thought about God’s job description? Maybe we’re not so acquainted with what God’s work is every day.
Check out a story in the Bible where people could have wondered whether Jesus would show up. It’s found in John 6:1-14. Jesus was on a mountainside and looked up to see a great crowd coming to him. Jesus’ first question was to Philip “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (vs. 5) Interesting, right, because Jesus already had in mind a plan! Philip complained that eight months' wages wouldn’t buy enough bread for each one to have a bite. Andrew gave his input and showed Jesus a boy who had 5 small barley loaves and two small fish, while at the same time questioning how far that would go. Everyone had their solution to dealing with the problem.
Then Jesus took over. He had the people sit down, all five thousand of them. He then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated. They ate as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When everyone had enough to eat, he asked the disciples to gather the leftovers. They filled 12 baskets with the pieces of leftovers!
The feeding of the 5000 is more than just a story. It speaks to the rule of God over time, history, and every event in the world today. Even in this story, the crowd, after seeing Jesus’ miracle, wanted to make Jesus King. They wanted a king on THEIR terms that would satisfy THEIR needs and desires. I would venture to see that we do this too! We make up our job description for God, which is basically to come through for us when we need Him to.
God is sovereign over this whole world, which means that He alone controls everything. When I study the sovereignty of God, it calms my fears. I realize I don’t have to try to control so much of my life! He controls and guides everything for His glory and good. I don’t have to figure things out or maneuver outcomes. Instead, I go to Jesus in prayer and ask for His help in all the things that concern me and those I care for. I can find true “rest” in His sovereignty, even when I don’t understand or like the outcome.
The people in this story needed food, and Jesus provided it in abundance. What is your greatest need? God invites us to slow down, read His Word, and look to Jesus. He is the one to calm our fears and forgive our sins. Jesus can be trusted completely with all our needs. He alone satisfies.
Check out a story in the Bible where people could have wondered whether Jesus would show up. It’s found in John 6:1-14. Jesus was on a mountainside and looked up to see a great crowd coming to him. Jesus’ first question was to Philip “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (vs. 5) Interesting, right, because Jesus already had in mind a plan! Philip complained that eight months' wages wouldn’t buy enough bread for each one to have a bite. Andrew gave his input and showed Jesus a boy who had 5 small barley loaves and two small fish, while at the same time questioning how far that would go. Everyone had their solution to dealing with the problem.
Then Jesus took over. He had the people sit down, all five thousand of them. He then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated. They ate as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When everyone had enough to eat, he asked the disciples to gather the leftovers. They filled 12 baskets with the pieces of leftovers!
The feeding of the 5000 is more than just a story. It speaks to the rule of God over time, history, and every event in the world today. Even in this story, the crowd, after seeing Jesus’ miracle, wanted to make Jesus King. They wanted a king on THEIR terms that would satisfy THEIR needs and desires. I would venture to see that we do this too! We make up our job description for God, which is basically to come through for us when we need Him to.
God is sovereign over this whole world, which means that He alone controls everything. When I study the sovereignty of God, it calms my fears. I realize I don’t have to try to control so much of my life! He controls and guides everything for His glory and good. I don’t have to figure things out or maneuver outcomes. Instead, I go to Jesus in prayer and ask for His help in all the things that concern me and those I care for. I can find true “rest” in His sovereignty, even when I don’t understand or like the outcome.
The people in this story needed food, and Jesus provided it in abundance. What is your greatest need? God invites us to slow down, read His Word, and look to Jesus. He is the one to calm our fears and forgive our sins. Jesus can be trusted completely with all our needs. He alone satisfies.
The bottom line is that we need God! (Same God by Elevation Worship, Take a listen: https://www.youtube.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
No comments:
Post a Comment