February 22:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS BREAKTHROUGH.
"Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs."--Mark 7:28

When I was a little girl, I was saving for a bicycle.  My dad, who was a church administrator, my mom, and I went to the mountains, where a woman, who owned a hotel far away from any local church, was waiting to give her tithes and offerings.  We arrived and sat at the table.  She started to divide money into little designated piles: evangelism, tithes, church budget, et cetera.  I was sure there would be a pile for me too!  When the money ran out, I yelled in utter desperation: "And for my bicycle?!"  How could there be so much for the church and nothing for me?


Have you ever wondered if there is enough for you?  I have.  In the time of Jesus, some wondered whether there was enough for them, because they were labeled as outsiders.  The feeding of the five thousand (in Mark's narrative clearly pointing to the Jewish culture) had left the crowd satisfied through the multiplication of the bread (Mark 6:34-44).  Mark 7:24 finds Jesus in Tyre and Sidon, which was a pagan territory that carried a long history of antagonism toward the people of Israel (see 1 Kings 16:31, 33).  A Gentile woman, of the Syrophoenician race, asks Jesus for mercy for her daughter.  Jesus tells her a riddle, about being satisfied with bread, the two pivotal words in the preceding feeding of the five thousand.  "And He was saying to her, 'Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs' " (Mark 7:27).  The woman responds to the riddle and does not ask for the children's bread, nor for the first place.  She asks for the humble place of a little dog that feeds from the children's crumbs (verse 28).  Jesus commends her for her answer and grants her request.  She was more insightful than the disciples, who had not yet grasped the inclusivity of Jesus' mission.  Many scholars consider this story the breakthrough event in this Gospel, followed by the next miraculous feeding that will occur in a Gentile context (Mark 8:1-9).  There was enough bread for her, for them, and for us to be satisfied, no matter where we come from, or where we have been.

My Response:_________________________________________________________

February 21:  Trusting His provision.

HIS PLENTY.
They all ate and were satisfied.--Mark 6:42

I was a church youth leader when our group decided to participate in a large community event of serving a holiday meal for homeless people in downtown Los Angeles.  Thousands of people ate until they were completely full, and still there were plenty of leftovers, which is very unusual for there are more than forty thousand unsheltered homeless individuals in this city.  Oh, that this abundance could be theirs every day!

There is a fascinating section found in Mark 6-8, and we will spend a few days in it.  It relates to the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand.  The narrative starts with Jesus teaching a large crowd in a desolate place, and it gets quite late; it is time to eat (Mark 6:34, 35).  The disciples could only find five loaves of bread and two fish (verse 38), and they brought these to Jesus.  The crowd sat down in groups of fifties and hundreds, as the people had in the wilderness with Moses (Exodus 18:21).  Jesus then multiplied the bread.  There are four verbs that the reader will re-encounter later in the bread plot: Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks the loaves, and gives them to the disciples, who gave the bread to the crowd.  "They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces....There were five thousand men who ate the loaves" (verses 42-44).  The cultural setting of this event is found in the words and numbers used.  The numbers five and twelve were representative of the Jewish culture: five was the number of the books in the Law (Torah), and there were twelve tribes in Israel.  In this story, there are five loaves of bread, five thousand men fed, and twelve full baskets left, one per tribe.  Even the Greek word used for baskets is kophinos, associated with the Jews.  God's people were fed, satisfied, and had leftovers.  But there was more to this enacted teaching, which we will study in the next few days.  For now, let's notice that God has no lack of resources, whether for our daily needs or for our eternal salvation.  He has no limitations, and His grace is plentiful!  He can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)!

My Response:______________________________________________________

February 20:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS ENDURANCE.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.--Acts 16:25

During particularly hard times in my life, God often blesses me with a song that becomes my companion through that specific trial.  When my father was diagnosed with cancer for the last time, I was blessed with the song "God Wants to Hear You Sing," * which I listened to over and over.  It highlights that God loves to hear our songs when everything is fine, but that we truly bless God's heart when He hears us sing His praises in the midst of sufferings, just as Paul and Silas did.

It is fascinating to understand the circumstances that Jesus went through in the Gospel of Luke, and the parallel experiences of His followers in the book of Acts.  Both Jesus and His followers were baptized by the Spirit for public ministry, performed many miracles, endured all kinds of trials and tribulations, and were persecuted and killed.  Jesus endured the kind of sufferings and death that none of His followers would ever taste, because He carried the penalty of our sins and transgressions.  Yet His disciples were given strength and patience from above to endure many trials.  Sometimes God removes the trial, other times He gives us perseverance and a song of praise in the midst of tribulation.  This was the case with Paul and Silas in Philippi.  The first convert in Europe, named Lydia, was baptized in this city.  When Paul exorcised a fortune-telling spirit from a slave girl, he and Sials were put in jail after being struck with many blows (Acts 16:23). For security and punishment purposes, they were placed in the inner prison and their feet were fastened in stocks (verse 24).  Yet God provided a way for them to witness about Jesus: they were singing and praising God in the middle of the night (verse 25).  Other prisoners were listening, as was probably the jailer himself.  When a great earthquake occurred, they had the opportunity to tell the jailer about salvation through Jesus, and he and his family were baptized.  If you are suffering today, ask God to give you a song of praise in the night.  Your test will become your testimony!  And God will use it for His salvific purposes!

My Response:_________________________________________________________
* "God Wants to Hear You Sing" by Greater Vision.

February 19:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS BLOOD.
"Say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' "--Mark 14:14

During a difficult season, I visited my valued mentor.  He took me back to Israel's history; and we read Exodus 14:13, 14: "But Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today....The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."  God's power to deliver His people was revealed through the Passover Lamb and the dividing of the sea.  My mentor reminded me to trust that the battle is the Lord's!

When Jesus was about to surrender His life to redeem the world, He planned to eat the last Passover meal with His disciples (Mark 14:12-16).  In a combination of practical arrangements and divine prescience, Jesus gave His disciples explicit instructions to find a guest room to eat the Passover together.  They were to follow a man with a pitcher of water (verse 13); an unusual sight, given that mostly women carried jars of water.  The owner of the house was simply to be told, "The Teacher says, 'Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?' " (verse 14).  The word "Passover" is mentioned four times in this short narrative.  Can you imagine Jesus' thoughts as they prepared for the meal that was a memorial of deliverance and redemption, instituted back in Exodus 12:21-27, which symbolized His own death?  The Israelites slayed the Passover lamb and applied the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts of the house, and the angel of destruction did not smite them, as they were thus covered.  They were delivered by the blood of the Lamb.  Later they encountered the Egyptians, while trapped by the sea, and once again they were reminded that the battle was the Lord's.  On their way to the Promised Land, they were reminded that God was the Provider of water and bread.  The battle was the Lord's!  Back in Jerusalem, as Jesus was eating the meal, He explained to His disciples that it represented His body and His blood.  Our Passover Lamb, Jesus, has been sacrificed! (1 Corinthians 5:7).  He has delivered us!  Now, will we trust Him to provide what we need as we journey to the Promised Land?

My Response:____________________________________________________________

February 18:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS EAGERNESS.
"Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?"--Luke 18:7


I've often seen parents defend and protect their children, and I am astounded at the way God placed this instinct in the animal kingdom.  I recently watched a clip of two videographers filming a little bear cub.  They must have been a bit too close because all of a sudden you can see the mother bear charging towards them and hitting the camera, responding to a perceived threat to her cub.  The videographers survived the attack, but I am sure that they will never underestimate the parental protective instinct found in nature.

The Bible often showcases God's eagerness to defend and avenge His children, faithfully protecting them.  Jesus told a parable about God's willingness and readiness to aid His chosen ones, and about not becoming discouraged and persisting in prayer with the expectation of God's prompt intervention on our behalf (Luke 18:1-8).  How vital it is to have a healthy view of God's eager disposition towards us!  The parable contains two main characters: a notoriously wicked judge, who has complete disregard for God and his fellowmen, and a destitute widow, who is in peril and in need of legal protection from an opponent.  The wicked judge does not help her at the beginning, but after a while gives in, and provides the legal protection she needs, because he is weary of her persistence, which she portrays in spite of the unrighteous character of the judge.  In a classic argument of lesser to greater (qal wahomer), Jesus concludes: if such a wicked and heartless judge finally gives justice to the persistent widow, how much more will God bring justice, avenging and vindicating His own, who cry out to Him day and night!  In other words: "Do you hear what the judge, corrupt as he is, is saying?  So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help?  Won't he stick up for them?  I assure you, he will.  He will not drag his feet." (Luke 18:6-8), The Message).  Trust God's eagerness to save, protect, and act on your behalf!  He will not fail you!

My Response:_____________________________________________________

February 17:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS FORTITUDE.
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith.--Acts 14:21, 22

The Gospel of Jesus is the favorite topic of discussion at the Talbot family reunions.  My brother-in-law, Jorge, is a retired physician and an avid student of the Bible.  We often talk about the miraculous fortitude God provided for His gospel martyrs, such as John Huss, who sang while being burned at the stake.  Singing while flames are consuming the body is physically impossible, yet God honored the gospel on their lips, by providing miraculous strength.

Today's text portrays Paul strengthening and encouraging disciples in his missionary endeavors.  But what is remarkable is that two verses before, "Jews came from Antioch and Iconium...they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  But...he got up and entered the city" (Acts 14:19, 20).  How could Paul be so uplifting and encouraging, and how could he continue preaching the gospel with gladness, just after being stoned and left for dead?  Paul himself tells of some of his trials; "Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked...in dangers from rivers...dangers from robbers...dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles..., dangers in the wilderness...dangers on the sea" (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).  And the list continues: hunger, thirst, cold, et cetera.  How could he experience these circumstances and yet go on preaching and encouraging others?  When we accept the good news that Jesus died in our place, God provides assurance for our eternal future, and He also miraculously provides all that is necessary for the present, including fortitude, mental and emotional strength to live a life for his glory, even in the midst of adversity and pain.  When Paul asked for his "thorn in the flesh" to be removed, the Lord told him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).  And the same answer is true for us.  God provides His grace for every aspect of our lives.  He truly provides for all our needs through Jesus.

My Response:_________________________________________________________

February 16:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS INVITATION.
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."--Matthew 4:19

One of my most significant experiences in the Holy Land was a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.  It felt surreal to be on the same lake that Jesus and His disciples so often crossed.  And it was a treat to see fishermen at their trade, throwing the nets, just as it was done two thousand years ago.  It was absolutely amazing to watch!  Who would have thought that this daily task of catching fish would become a metaphor for evangelism?

Matthew narrates the call of the first four disciples as Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee, in fulfillment of the previously quoted Isaiah's prophecy (Matthew 4:15, 126).  Simon, who is identified as Peter, and his brother Andrew are casting a net, "For they were fishermen" (verse 18).  And Jesus extends to them what must have been a surprising invitation: "Follow Me" (verse 19).  It was a rabbinic custom to have pupils follow their master, learning from him.  But what is striking about Jesus' invitation is that He is the One initiating the relationship, not the other way around as was the habitual practice.  Moreover, Jesus takes their occupation as fishermen and uses it as a metaphor for their future endeavors; they will be fishers of human beings! (verse 19; see Matthew  13:47, 48).  I am so thankful that Jesus' call comes with the assurance that He will equip His disciples for the task: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)).  He provides what is necessary to evangelize.  Going on from there, Jesus called James and John.  All four of them responded immediately and decisively.  They left everything (nets, boat, father; see verses 20, 22).  God calls each one of us, in the midst of our ordinary tasks, and invites us to follow Him and become fishers for His kingdom.  Most of us won't be asked to leave our occupations, but to rearrange our priorities.  Discipleship is a reversal of values in light of Jesus' redemptive mission.  May we share the amazing grace that we have found in Jesus, recognizing that He equips us for this call.  It's all His grace: the salvation, the call, and the equipping.  Be assured of His provision as you excitedly share the gospel!

My Response:_______________________________________________________

February 15:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS WILLINGNESS.
"How much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"--Matthew 7:11

When I was growing up, my parents made many sacrifices for me, so that I could have a good education and everything I needed.  Many of us can relate to this because children become their parents' priority, even to the point of denying themselves essential things in order to provide for their children.  This begins from the moment the children are born and often continues even after the parents are gone, as many plan to provide an inheritance for their adult children.

Jesus used this closest of human relationships (between a parent and a child) to teach us about God's willingness to give us all the good things that we need.  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).  This famous saying of Jesus contains three synonymous imperatives: ask, seek, and knock, followed by three assurances" "It will be given...you will find...it will be opened."  God, as the heavenly Father who is faithful and willing to provide for His children, had been introduced in the previous chapter (Matthew 6:25-34).  Now Jesus encourages His followers to an ongoing mindset of trust in God's ability to surpass even the goodwill of earthly parents towards their children.  Jesus uses a typical Jewish argument style called qal wahomer ("from lesser to greater"), showing that if the lesser is true, how much more is the greater true.  If earthly parents, being sinful, know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more is our heavenly Father willing to give us the good things we need (verse 11).  Jesus refers to the unthinkable scenario of a parent denying their child the typical Galilean meal (bread and fish) (verses 8, 9), and replacing it with something harmful (stone and snake).  If parents can't fathom that option, why should we mistrust the willingness of our Heavenly Father?  As we mentioned previously, (February 4), in Paul's words: "He who did not spare His own Son...how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).  Let's trust the willing heart of Him who gave Himself for us.

My Response:_________________________________________________________

February 14:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS BELOVED.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."--Revelation 19:7

A few years ago, we celebrated my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, and it was a most joyful occasion.  At the entrance of the hall where the festivities were taking place, there were various exhibits displayed, including wedding gifts and my mother's wedding dress.  In the photos of the wedding, my mother looks truly stunning, and my father has a sparkly in his eyes as they are leaving the church, as if saying, "She is all mine from this day forward!"

Can you imagine what we will feel when we finally meet our heavenly Bridegroom, who gave His life for us?  Can you imagine how eager Jesus is to take us home?  In order to fully savor the Scriptural metaphor of marriage relating to the final union of Jesus with His church, Dr. Ranko Stefanovic helps us understand a wedding in the first century: "The Hebrew wedding usually began with the betrothal at the house of the bride's father, where the groom paid the dowry.  The two were, afterwards, considered husband and wife.  The groom then returned to his father's house to prepare the place where he and his bride would live.  During that time the bride stayed at her father's home preparing herself for the wedding.  When both the place and the bride were ready, the bridegroom would return to take the bride to his father's house where the wedding ceremony was to take place (cf. Matthew 25:1-10)." *  Yet, unlike in regular weddings, in this final wedding, the Lamb who is the Bridegroom, does everything for the bride: He becomes the dowry, giving up His own life for her.  He washes the bride clean.  He provides the white dress.  He does everything!  The bride just loves Him back because He first loved her, and pledges allegiance to her Beloved.  Check out all that He has done to make sure the bride is ready: "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself us for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory" (Ephesians 5:25-27).  You are loved!  Jesus can't wait to take you home!

My Response:___________________________________________________________
* Ranko Stefanovic, Revelation of Jesus Christ, 2nd ed. (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2009), 553.

February 13:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS REMEDY.
"Seek first the kingdom  and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."--Matthew 6:33


A married couple was discussing their financial future and making plans, figuring out what they could afford.  Without their knowledge, their young child overheard their conversation.  A few hours later they noticed that their son had a worried look on his face and they inquired about it.  He went on to tell tham his understanding of their private conversation.  Consequently, he was very anxious and worried that they might not be able to provide for him.  They embraced him and assured him that there was nothing to fear, and that they would provide for his every need.  I wonder how often God has seen a worried look on my face?

Many of us are prone to anxiety.  Jesus addresses this topic in the Sermon on the Mount, making three imperatives, usually translated as "do not worry" (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34).  He explains the futility of worrying and offers a remedy for it.  He begins by addressing the anxiety about our basic, legitimate daily needs: food and clothing (verse 25).  He demonstrates how our Heavenly Father provides for His creation, by feeding the birds (verse 26) and clothing the flowers (verse 28).  Jesus also points out the uselessness of worrying: "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" (verse 27).  How true!  And still we do!  He continues with a contrast between believers and unbelievers: Gentiles worry about these basic needs, but His followers have a Heavenly Father who knows their needs.  He then offers a remedy for anxiety: seek God's kingdom as the ultimate priority and trust His faithfulness to provide for our needs.  "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (verse 33).  Simple, right?  Well, I need to be reminded many times a day of this simple, yet profound, cure for anxiety.  Finally, Jesus expands his "do not worry" imperative beyond basic needs--to fears about the future (verse 34).  Do not be anxious about tomorrow.  Stay in the present, in today.  God is in charge; God is in control; He knows what we need.  Relax.  God's faithfulness is the remedy for our anxiety.  Woo-hoo!

My Response:__________________________________________________________