God is faithful and is always enough

By Dean Collins

What do we do when we are sure there is not enough?

I never missed a meal growing up. There were lean times to be sure. Yet, as a child, I never wondered if I would have food to eat or the things I needed.

Due to the separation and divorce of my parents in my mid teens, I assumed some adult responsibilities earlier than many of my peers. At age 16, I was on the summer staff of a small church. At 17, I did some work as a custodian and later spent the summer on staff at a church camp. Still just 17, I started working on another church staff with responsibilities for the youth program. I turned 18 during the six months working at the church and then began working at a youth organization called Christ In Youth. For eight months, I lived off whatever financial support I could raise, which was about $300 a month.

Before I was 19, I was on another church staff where I would stay for four years before I felt God call me to start a campus ministry at Auburn University. Again, I needed to raise money to operate the ministry and to live on. The first year’s budget was $12,000. This budget took care of salary, rent, and covered the free dinner I cooked for Auburn students who showed up on Thursday nights at 6:00pm each week. In those days, I always wondered if there would be enough chili, soup, spaghetti, or casserole that I had prepared. Sometimes it felt like a close call, but there was always enough.

God will deliver

So I can relate to the disciples who looked at the thousands who listened to Jesus in a remote location and were concerned about how they would find food as the sun began to set. They told Jesus to send the crowd home. Jesus replied: “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

The disciples quickly pushed back telling Jesus that they only had five biscuits and a couple sardines. Their situation appeared hopeless. And things likely got a little more concerning for them when Jesus told them to bring what they had to him and have the crowds sit down.

Even though the disciples had seen Jesus do remarkable miracles healing a blind man, a lame man, and even turning water to wine, I suspect that they could not possibly imagine what Jesus would do in this moment. I am guessing they weren’t simply wondering if there was enough. I believe they knew there wasn’t enough. And they were correct in their assessment of their resources.

As a business leader and minister for many decades, I have often had concerns about whether there is enough. Enough time to accomplish the task. Enough money to pay the bills and employees. Enough donors or investors to meet the needs of the organization. I know many Christian university presidents who, like me, are often concerned about whether there will be enough to do what God has called us to do.

Time and time again, I have struggled and wondered how God will provide this time. And like the disciples, what I have sensed in my spirit is that I am to bring to the Lord what I have and then follow God’s lead as I watch and wait for his loving hands to touch, bless, and deliver what we need.

When we face what appears to be overwhelming odds, we might feel guilty for moments of doubt or concern about what happens next. What if God doesn’t show up this time? We should probably keep in mind that the disciples saw Jesus feed thousands, saw him heal dozens, raise Lazarus from the dead, and even interacted with the risen Lord. Yet, they still considered going back to fishing before the Holy Spirit filled them on Pentecost.

You and I will probably have moments of hesitation again. When we do, we should share our concerns and burdens with another believer and confess our fears openly to the Lord. In these moments, we will likely hear what the disciples heard on this day: “Bring me what you have and tell the people to sit down.” God is faithful and is always enough.

Lord, we acknowledge that by ourselves we are not big enough, smart enough, or rich enough to solve all the challenges and problems around us. We also confess that sometimes we have fears and doubts in our times of struggle. But today, we declare that we know without hesitation that you are enough. You are in our midst and are our refuge in every time of need. Hear our prayers when we need help. Do not forsake the work of your hands. In Jesus name, Amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 14:15-21 ESV

Photo by Tara Winstead: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-cutout-letters-on-the-white-textile-8383466/
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