What a task lay before the Lord on that day! There were five thousand men, besides women and children. To feed such a crowd at a moment’s notice might well-nigh seem impossible. Well might the disciples say, “Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food” (v. 15). Well might they look startled when the reply came back. “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Their hearts must have sunk within them as their eyes again and again scanned that surging crowd.

The prospect of feeding that multitude did not alarm the Lord. He asked Philip, indeed, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5) but we learn immediately that He said this “to test him” (v. 6). The Lord Jesus is perfectly confident that He can meet our needs and He would have us confident, too; for He is the One who for thousands of years has met the needs of those who put their trust in Him. As the God of providence He keeps the barrel of meal from wasting, and the cruse of oil from failing. He draws from one the testimony: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). And from another, “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave” (1 Kings 8:56).

Say not, my soul, “From whence Can God relieve my care?” Remember that Omnipotence Hath servants everywhere. His help is always sure, His methods seldom guessed; Delay will make our pleasure pure: Surprise will give it zest. His wisdom is sublime, His heart profoundly kind; God never is before His time, And never is behind.

Hast thou assumed a load Which none will bear with thee? And art thou bearing it for God, And shall He fail to see? Be comforted at heart, Thou art not left alone; Now thou the Lord’s companion art— Soon thou shalt share His throne.

J. J. Lynch

Jesus fed the multitude in a desert place.