Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14)
How many loaves of bread and how many fish does it take to feed 5000 men, plus women and children? The answer, based on the narratives found in the Gospel accounts, is five loaves and two fish. How was that possible? Because our Savior is a supernatural Stretcher who is in the business of making much out of a little.
If the truth be known, the answer to the question cannot be found in the supply that was on hand for feeding 5000-plus people; the answer will always and only be found in the supernatural Stretcher. And what was true back then is still true today; our Savior is in the business of making much out of a little.
However, our problem is the very same problem the disciples faced on that miraculous day.
Simon Peter’s brother Andrew spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:8-9)
You and I are just like Andrew. We see scarcity and our Savior sees surplus. We see a meager amount and our Savior sees another opportunity for the miraculous. You see, in God’s economy, one plus one is not always two. It is whatever God wants it to be in order for His purposes to be accomplished and His glory to be manifest.
Remember, five loaves and two fish were not needed for the miraculous feeding of the mass of people. It could have been a smaller amount or even no amount at all. The Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for forty years had absolutely no food supply in storage. Their bread came from heaven each day.
So regardless of where this finds you today, I want you to consider today’s verse and be greatly encouraged. God spoke those words to Abraham regarding the child of promise who would be born to Abraham and Sarah, well beyond the age of being able to conceive a child. But it applies to all the children of God in all ages. There really is no easier question to answer in all the world: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT!
One more thought before we close: the most important thing in your life that Jesus is interested in stretching will not be found in your pantry or in your pocketbook. Jesus is primarily interested in stretching your belief. Our thinking is natural, and natural thinking requires no stretching. Without stretching, we shrink the size of our lives down to the size of our lives. Stretching only happens when we begin to think spiritually.
The disciples were thinking naturally when they saw only five loaves of bread and two fish. But Jesus was thinking spiritually—and supernaturally—and all things are possible to those who believe in Him. May that be the confession of our lives!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 