If you want to see God work, you have to do something God can bless.
“Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well.” 2 Chronicles 19:11 NIV.
The principle is pretty simple. You have to give God something to bless. One of the most interesting miracles of Jesus was the multiplication of the loaves and fish, the only miracle recorded in all four of the Gospels. See Matthew 14/Mark 6/Luke 9/John 6. That duplication should signify some added significance. The occasion seemed an impossible situation until a young boy decided he had something that could help. The boy offered his own small lunch, five individual loaves and two small fish. Not much but something. Read John 6:1-14. The disciples thought the boy’s offering was big hearted and well intentioned, but probably irrelevant. They reasoned, “What are [these] among so many?” John 6:9 NKJV.
A crowd of thousands had come to see Jesus and hear Him teach. They were far from home; the day was long; and they had not eaten. Something would need to be done, and soon. The disciples realized something needed to be done so they gave Jesus their most logical suggestion, “Send the people away.” Problem solved, or was it?
Jesus then chose to do something for which the disciples were totally unprepared to hear or do; “Feed them!” The disciples accurately calculated how much it would take, how little they had, and how impossible that would be. The disciples looked at what they lacked, and concluded there was nothing they could do. The young boy looked at what he had, and decided there was something he could do. He would give Jesus his lunch, however insignificant it seemed.
“Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well.” 2 Chronicles 19:11 NIV. You can always play it safe, never risking, never venturing, but until you act with reasoned courage you might not see the greatness of God’s power and providence. If you want God to work in your difficult or challenging – even impossible – situation, at some point you have to make an effort or sacrifice that God can bless. What can you give or do that moves you in the direction of a miracle? I think Mary, the mother of Jesus, said it best, “Whatever He says to you, do it!” John 2:1-11 NKJV. And when they did what they could do, Jesus did what he alone can do – a miracle of multiplication!
In the boy’s hands, his lunch was barely enough for himself. In the disciple’s hands, his lunch was inadequate, in their estimation. But in Jesus’ hands, his lunch would become a miraculous provision, feeding thousands of hungry, appreciative people. “And they all ate and were full . . now gather what’s left . . twelve baskets were filled with the bread the people did not eat.” John 6:12-13.
More than thirty years ago, I learned a simple rhyme that challenges me. “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” Helen Keller, Author, 1880-1968. In every situation, look for the something that you can do – a word of encouragement, an act of faith, a kindness shown, a sacrifice made, a person helped. When you do something in faith and obedience, God can do something through you and for you. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that you will act with courage, and see God work wonders.