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.

They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.—I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.—For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints, they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.—The Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.—Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.

Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.—His bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.—The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.—Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, . . . that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.—Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.