Lately I’ve been reading through “The Story” by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee which is basically the NIV Bible written in on continuous story in chronological order. One thing that amazes me as I read through both the Old Testament and the New Testament is how quickly God’s people/the disciples can discredit the miracles that they have walked through and resort back to disbelief and lack of faith instead of trusting in God’s provision in the future.
Moses and the Israelites were literally rescued from slavery, walked on dry land where the Red Sea should have been, followed a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night, ate bread that rained from the sky, and drank from water that poured from rocks, and still doubted that God would come through.
The disciples themselves, Jesus’ closest friends, had similar times where they seemed to forget the miracles that were already done and instead resort to fear and disbelief. One story that stands out to me is when Jesus fed the multitudes. This miracle actually happened twice, it appears one shortly after the other. The first time, Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves and two fish and picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. The second time, only two chapters later, Jesus feeds a crowd of four thousand with seven loaves and a few small fish and seven basketfuls are leftover. The disciples witness this both times- in fact, they’re the ones who went around handing it out AND the ones who picked up the leftovers. The amazing part is what happens next, Jesus and His disciples get into the boat to cross over to the other side, and they realize they forgot to bring enough bread for the journey (they only had one loaf on the boat). Jesus makes a comment about the Pharisees and Herod and the disciples start to discuss it amongst each other, saying that it’s because they don’t have bread. At this point I can imagine Jesus just shaking His head at them as He asks them “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8:14-21).
The disciples just watched Jesus feed thousands of people not once, but twice, and they still worried and argued over their own needs. They still doubted Jesus’ ability to meet them where they were and provide for them what was needed. FIVE LOAVES FED FIVE THOUSAND and the disciples doubted in the ability for one loaf to feed twelve of them.
I would look down at the disciples at this point, if this wasn’t something that regularly happens to me.
So often in my life as I look at a mountain ahead of me and let fear and disbelief take over, I forget about all the mountains He’s already moved that got me to where I am standing.
Take fundraising for The World Race, for example. Let me just tell you, my faith has been tested in so many ways and it has been a roller coaster of an experience for me. Literally one day I’ll feel like I’m on top of mountain after being handed a large donation or watching a pledge or successful fundraiser come through, and so many times I’ll turn back to doubting that God can do it again. I’ll doubt that He can meet my needs or that He can provide the rest of the amount needed. Sometimes it’s just silly (like having over $16,000 and being fearful for the next $3,000). I think that God knows this is our human tendency to overanalyze and underestimate His power. I think this is why it’s so important to regularly remember His promises and the things that He has brought us through and to give Him thanks for things that are to come. The Bible says the word “remember” over 160 times, because God knows we are a forgetful people. I think this is part of the reason why we have to raise so much money for The World Race (well.. besides that fact that travel and living expenses are ridiculously expensive), so that we can reflect on what God has done and where He has provided and we can trust that He will do it again.
I challenge you today to put aside whatever you are worrying about or whatever mountain seems to be in front of you and instead to spend some time reflecting on what God has already brought you through and the promises He has already fulfilled in your life. When we spend time in remembrance and thanksgiving, it’s amazing how much smaller the mountain in front of us looks and how much bigger our God looks.
