“I was looking again at Matthew’s account of the feeding of the five thousand,” Stan commented one morning, “and I saw a clear connection between obedience and being able to see a miracle.”
“A connection between obedience and seeing a miracle?” I responded. “In what way?”
“Quick recap,” Stan replied. “Jesus heard that His friend, John the Baptist, had been killed, Jesus went away to have some time alone, but a crowd followed. Jesus had compassion for the crowd and healed the people who were sick. Then the crowd got hungry but they didn’t have anything to eat.”
“Is that when the disciples asked Jesus to send the people away so they could get something to eat?”
“That’s right,” Stan replied, “and what Jesus said next seems to me to be a key to getting to see what God can do.”
“How so?”
“Jesus told the disciples that the people didn’t need to go away; He told the disciples to give the people something to eat.”
“But they didn’t have much, did they?” I asked.
“Five loaves and two fish,” Stan replied. “Not much, but the disciples obeyed and they got to witness the miracle of what God did. Same with me.”
“Same with you, how?”
“Jesus told the disciples to give Him the five loaves and two fish,” Stan said. “They obeyed, and you know the rest of the story.”
“Seems to me,” he continued, “that God wants me to do the same thing. He wants me to obey by giving Him whatever I have, regardless of how little it seems to be. He will take it from there. Then I get to see what He will do when I obey!”
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Bible verses to consider:
But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Matthew 14:16-18.
And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that Jesus obeyed you and went to the cross so I could accept His finished work and know I will spend eternity in your presence when it’s time. Thank you, too, that I can witness what you can and will do in and through me on this side of eternity when I obey you. I confess that too often I do not obey and, as a result, I do not get to see what you want to do in and through me. Please forgive the foolishness of not obeying all you have for me to obey. And please, Father, help me follow every step of your lead so I do, in fact, obey and have the opportunity to see you doing what only you can do. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted what Jesus accomplished by His obedience in going to the cross so you know you will spend eternity in God’s presence when it’s time? If no, why? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with obeying God on this side of eternity? Do you believe there is a connection between obedience and being able to see God move in and through your life? Would you like to see more of what God can and will do through your obedience? If so, how’s that going to happen?
Waiting for the Train 