July 18

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

I am not sure if all the events in chapter 14 happened in one day, but it appears so.

1.   Jesus learns his cousin has been beheaded.

2.  Jesus seeks solitude to commune with his Father.

3.  Crowds descend on Jesus for miracles.

4.  Jesus teaches, heals and ministers to the substantial crowd.

5.  Dinner time approaches and few in the crowd thought to bring food.

6.  Once again,  the a request is made of Jesus to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem because people had failed to plan ahead or make wise decisions.  "Bail us out, Jesus."

7.  As he did then, and as he always will for his sheep, Jesus comes to the rescue.

As I was typing this, #6 jumped out at me.  The scripture is replete with instances where God's children are placed in situations of  trials and persecution through no mistakes of their own.  In fact, I believe that there are times where a particular challenge is actually a badge of Christian honor.  God will not allow any temptation or difficulty in our lives unless He is sure we have the ability to be victorious in that situation.

HOWEVER, most of my difficult times have been due to my lack of planning and wise decision making.  Much like the crowds in Matthew 14, I run after the latest craze or whim.  Would Christ have had to bail out the hungry crowd if more of them had planned ahead? The lesson for me here is to slow down, think things through and, consequently, my "bail me out" prayers will be fewer and fewer.  

Yet it is comforting to know that in those times when I am the foodless crowd member, Jesus will still come to the rescue with loaves and fishes.