God's Glory Church

“You give them to eat.” — Mark 6:37
My friend and her husband could not conceive a child. Doctors recommended that she undergo an appropriate medical procedure. But she hesitated, “Isn’t prayer enough to solve our problem? Do I really need to do this procedure?” My friend was trying to understand what role human actions play in seeing how God works.

The story of how Jesus fed the crowd can help us in this (Mark 6:35-44). We may know how this story ends: thousands of people were miraculously fed with bread and fish (v. 42). But notice who fed this crowd? Pupils (v. 37). And who provides the food? They (v. 38). Who distributes the food and cleans up afterwards? Disciples (vv. 39-43). “You give them something to eat,” said Jesus (v. 37). Yes, Jesus did a miracle, but it was because of the actions of the disciples.

A good harvest is a gift from God (Ps. 64:10-11), but the farmer must still work the land. Jesus promised Peter a “catch” of fish, but the fisherman still had to cast his nets (Lk. 5:4-6). God can care for the earth and work miracles without us, but usually He chooses to work in partnership with man.

A friend of mine went through this procedure and later successfully became pregnant. Although this is not a miracle formula, it has become a lesson for us. God often does His miraculous work through methods He puts into our hands.

When are you tempted to just pray and do nothing? What is God calling you to do right now?
Dear God, thank you for including me in Your wonderful work. Please take what is in my hands and work miracles through it.
Author: Sheridan Voysey