Good morning! It is Thursday, January 9, 2025. Today, we step into a mountainside retreat where Jesus is feeding 5,000 men. Well, not directly—verse 16 tells us that He gave the food to His disciples to distribute until everyone was fed and satisfied. But there’s an intriguing twist, reserved only for those who serve. Read on…
Today's Reading:
Genesis 23, 24; Luke 9
Scripture
“He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to serve the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up,12 baskets full!” (Luke 9:16-17)
Observation
The disciples were asked to volunteer for serving duty—a task that was no small request. Five thousand men, plus additional women and children, needed to have their lunches distributed by just twelve men. I wonder how long that took. I bet they ran into several logistical problems along the way: disgruntled parents, those who expected more, and perhaps even someone asking, “Do you have any gluten-free options?”
Yet in the end, the Gospel records that twelve baskets full of fish and loaves were left over. That, I’m sure, was the Holy Spirit’s math.
One basket full of fish and bread—totally unexpected. Leftover treasures. One for each volunteer!
Application
I have always been amazed at how God rewards those who serve willingly, with no expectation of recompense. When we make “contracts” with God, including expectations of remuneration or compensation, we often end up frustrated. That frustration, in turn, leads to a tendency to blame others for not meeting our unspoken expectations. These are self-inflicted spiritual wounds.
However, when we serve simply for the joy of serving, without seeking repayment or compensation, God rewards us with leftover treasures that far exceed what we could have imagined. I’ve discovered that the root issue was my lack of trust in God to supply what I truly needed. Instead, I would “front-load” my service with hidden expectations, only to set myself up for frustration.
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for shaping my heart and molding it to reflect Yours more and more each day. Forgive me for my lack of dependence on You. Teach me to trust You as the Rewarder—not men.
“For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Sign up to receive Pastor Wayne's devotions daily
