I was reading the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 men, not including women and children, last week and then was reading onwards regarding the day after that. The people came to Jesus the day after expecting Him to provide them with more food. I felt God speak to me and say “miracle does not mean provision”. Something went off in my heart where I realised too often that we want to live in a world of constant miracles rather than believing in Jesus.
In the above story, in John chapter 6, Jesus had been teaching the people all day and they were all starting to get hungry. The place where they were, was not near a town and McDonalds was nowhere to be found. Andrew found a boy with five loaves and two fish. But that didn’t look like it could feed the crowd. However, Jesus took what they had, blessed it and asked the disciples to hand it out. There was so much that all the people were fed and there were 12 baskets left over. A miracle had taken place.
The people were excited. They wanted to be fed like this everyday. They wouldn’t have to work for their provision and they could just expect it. It was like the days of the Israelites in the wilderness. Provision for forty years. Now that sounded good.
The next day, the people went searching for Jesus. Breakfast was here and there was no food. When they found Him, Jesus called their behaviour. He knew they were searching for Him to get fed physically but He wanted to feed them spiritually. That is the reason Jesus told them He was the bread of life.
You see miracles are good but provision is God’s best for us. God wants us to grow up and be found mature in Him. Jesus is the bread of life and the Word of God. When we find the scripture that answers our need and believe it, then the promise will come to pass and we will be filled.
Verse 29 tells us the will of God in this matter for us. It states that Jesus told them that this is the work that God wants you to do – believe in Jesus and the words He speaks. He is our fulfilment.
Miracles will not sustain us as they only come through a church meeting we attend or a church broadcast where someone prays for our need and a miracle happens. Jesus doesn’t want us relying on someone else to pray for our provision, He wants us to believe Him to receive our provision.
A miracle may not last. By that I mean we may ask for prayer for a specific bill to be paid, but when that bill comes around again, we may not get a miracle. However, if we believe that God will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), then it doesn’t matter when our bill comes in, our needs will be met because provision is here.
So today, if you have a need, don’t look for the miracles, believe God and look for provision. God will never let you down if you follow His Word and His principles. Have a great week and keep living the life God intended for you.
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