Encounter #29:

I've Come This Far By Faith

Read: Mark 8:1-21

Great multitudes continued to follow Jesus. Jesus realized that they have been listening to His teachings and following Him for three days without eating. The 4,000+ people were now hungry. Jesus has compassion on them. Remember that compassion means having sorrow for someone and then doing something about it. Some of the people came from long distances and if they were sent home they would faint along the way. So Jesus decides to feed them. He fed 5,000+ previously (Mark 6:1-34-44). The disciples question Jesus about how can bread be found in the wilderness. Have they forgotten that the Lord took care of Moses and all the mixed multitude in the wilderness of Sinai? He gave them manna and quail.

Jesus realizes that they have seven loaves of bread and a few small fishes. They sit down and Jesus prays, breaks the bread and gives it to the disciples. The bread and fish are multiplied again and all the people eat and are filled. There are seven baskets left over. God provides again!

Jesus and the disciples go over the Lake again to Dalmanutha and meet up with the Pharisees. They try to trick Jesus again. They want a sign from Him. What about all the miracles Jesus was doing? They wouldn't believe no matter what Jesus had done. Jesus and the disciples go back in the boat and go over to the other said. They now have only one loaf of bread. Jesus said for them to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. The disciples didn't understand what He meant; their heart was hard. They were thinking in the physical realm but Jesus meant that the doctrine of the Pharisees was sinful and evil. Jesus reminded them that their needs were provided in the past when the 5,000 and the 4,000 were fed. They have come this far by faith. Remember how God provided for you in the past, and know that He will provide again. Trust Him in faith.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your past provision. I am trusting you again for providing for me now. I have come this far in faith. Keep my heart soft towards You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Application: Reach out to Jesus now in faith and trust Him to provide.

Encounter Jesus: Jesus is with you. He is your Provider and Hope. He's the Bread of Life. Receive His provision by faith now.