Don't Forget

The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” [Matthew 15.33]

A little backstory first...

The same disciples who asked this question, when Jesus suggested they feed 4,000 men (plus women & children), had just recently witnessed Jesus break 5 loaves and 2 fish into enough food to feed 5,000 men (plus women & children)!

How did they forget that?

I believe the answer is plain and simple: they were not spending time in prayer and devotion to God.

How can I make the statement above? Well, mostly because I have a little idea of the whole story of the disciples' three years in ministry with Jesus (the Gospels). It's right there in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

Jesus, Who was known, and is on record, as a person of much prayer, scolded His men more than once for their lack of prayer. Likewise, He frequently scolded them for their lack of faith. It is no secret that, although Jesus' men were indeed disciples, they were less than exemplary in truly following Him. More often than not, they followed their hearts instead of their example, Jesus. Such was the case at this second feeding of thousands: they looked at the situation and followed the reasoning of their hearts, "we have no food and no way to get so much food" in spite of having witnessed the Word of God in action at the feeding of the 5,000.

The problem with anyone following their heart is that the human "heart" is deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17.9). Our hearts will make us forget even the greatest miracles of our lives. The only remedy is to silence our hearts with the Word of God and prayer.

God has historically rescued His repentant people over and over. As we pray for the 2020 US General Elections, we MUST remember that. We must keep our hearts out of it and be absolutely sure we are following the Spirit of God and His Holy Word! If we forget that our God parted the Red Sea and raised Jesus from the dead, then our hearts will forget His KINGDOM plan for the earth. Yes, we will mistakenly pray "heartfelt prayers" for the USA's turmoil and distraction instead of God's will as it pertains to the salvation of the world (1 Timothy 2.4). We cannot allow ourselves to become distracted by human point of view and its attached emotion (Matthew 16.21-23)

Does God want good for the USA? Of course He does (see Psalm 119.68). But as much as we need God to intervene in our present circumstances, we must stay focused on God's main plan - to save the world. Our humble repentance will naturally and scripturally bring God's blessing on the USA (or whatever country we might live in). 

Make no mistake about it, God's plan for the world is not dependent upon the USA - and God's plan for the USA is not independent of His plan for the world (let that soak in).

So, what do we do? We do the Kingdom! Jesus saw the pain and suffering of the Cross as the way to save the world. As His followers, called to take up our cross and follow Him, we should not forget, but instead see our present circumstances as they pertain to the salvation of the world - as did Jesus. The Word of God is crystal clear on this, but our hearts try to deny it and make us forget.

So, don't forget. Spend more and more time in prayer and God's Word. God's Kingdom has to be more real to us than the air that we breath. Otherwise, our hearts will deceive and distract us concerning circumstances we've already seen God remedy before.

Question: “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?”

Answer: The same place we did last time - from Almighty God. Don't forget it - do the work - feed the people!