Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Enough for today Wednesday, December 3, 2008 Matthew 15:32-37 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way." The disciples said to him, "Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?" Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied, "and a few fish." He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over-seven baskets full. Thousands were hungry, and thousands were fed. Jesus healed them, taught them God's word, brought them peace and filled their bellies. Just this once. We eat several times a day, every day that we live in our bodies. If I were growing up in the countryside of a drought-stricken poor country I might only eat a few times each week. Still the meals count up, and I will die unless I find food thousands and thousands of times during my life. That should be a simple thing, with the earth God has given us. Fill the earth, He said, replenish and subdue it. You will have all you need. God's economy is always an economy of plenty. Give it away ... there will be more than enough. At least enough for today. Can I be patient with my desire to have enough for tomorrow, can I be still while God changes my mind and brings me peace? Or ... The alternative is to hold tight to what I have and find a way to store up weeks of savings, supplies, food. For the longer term future, to be sure I have enough health insurance and life insurance. Which of us in the United States does not see these as responsible and correct ways to prepare for the future? Can Jesus show me God's love and gifts, and also show me how to prepare for the future? I am sure that he can. His way does not fit all my civilized ways of hanging on. His way surely involves giving rather than keeping. When I want to be with him enough to stay in the wilderness without food, Jesus will feed me and show me how to give away whatever is left, so that we can all eat again tomorrow. Loaves and fishes, Lord. Olives and water and wine. Grapes and oranges, apples and figs. You prepare a table for us in the presence of our enemy. The cup you fill never runs dry. I lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. "; Add      Edit    Delete