March 04, 1999, Thursday

What purpose does God have for being faithful in sufficient

provision for His followers? What purpose does God have for

multiplying the believer's effort into miraculous results?

What remedy does God have for those that are troubled by the

the things that unquiet our lives?

The Scripture tells us that God spoke with Moses on many

occasions. God determined to use His daily provision for

Israel as a means of testing them to improve their character-

"And the Lord said to Moses: Behold I will rain bread from

heaven for you: let the people go forth, and gather what

is sufficient for every day: that I may prove them whether

they will walk in My law, or not" (Exo 16:4). God wanted to

know if they would obey Him if their daily needs were met.

John tells us that Jesus also tested His disciples to see

their faith. Jesus performed a miracle for a life lesson-

"Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and saw a great multitude

coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy

bread, that these may eat?" But this He said to test him,

for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him,

"Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for

them, that all of them may have a little" (John 6:5-7).

After Jesus multiplied the provisions, the miracle was

evident-"I am the bread of life. "Your fathers ate the

manna in the wilderness, and are dead" (John 6:48-49).

After the declaration by Jesus of His deity, many of the

disciples no longer followed Jesus, however 12 remained.

John tells us that Philip began to understand sufficiency

from Jesus, however Jesus was troubled by His statement-

"Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is

sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with

you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who

has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show

us the Father'? (John 14:8). Jesus explained to Philip the

remedy against this trouble of mind, "Believe." His purpose

is to teach us to believe in Christ as the Mediator between

God and man to gain comfort.

Let us remember who is all powerful and all sufficient.

God's Name is Jehová El Shaddai. He is the God who does

not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and

a sound mind. His power can give us all we need to live a

righteous life. Lift your hands to the most powerful God

of all the universe. You can Trust Him Today for strength

and power in your life!