He Knows What He is Doing

John 6:4-6 The story continues. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do."

He already had in mind what He was going to do. If I could only really wrap my mind around this, and know deep within me, that God knows what He is doing and that He is working for my good. My heart would rest in peace. Yet I struggle and strain in the not knowing.

Our journey as Christians is a walk of faith. It is the crux of the matter when it comes to our relationship with God. We must believe things we can't see. We must trust Him enough to follow Him in all we do. Therein lies the challenge. Yet this walk of faith can be so freeing as we know with God all things are possible.

This morning I read in the Psalms, Psalm 115:9 amp O Israel, trust and take refuge in the Lord! [Lean on, rely on, and be confident in Him!] He is their Help and their Shield.

Refuge: a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. Originating from a French word meaning "to flee" and it is a place to flee to in order to get away from people or places that are unsafe.

When I don't feel safe or protected, when I face an uncertain future or am suffering in any way I can have peace knowing God is my Help and my Shield. Jesus in this case, had in mind to feed 5,000 hungry people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. I can trust Him with the outcomes of my life too, regardless of the limitations I see and feel about my self, my life.

Philip  only saw the problem. His reply was, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" His was a reply of not enough. 

Jesus was trying to teach him that He could be trusted. He could take what they had on hand, their not enough and make it more than enough. The point here is Jesus, the Bread of Life, is enough. 

Lord, You are enough. You are my Help and You protect me. You know what You are doing. Help me to move past just seeing the problem and move toward living in the anticipation of how You are going to work things out. Help me let go and trust that Your ways are so much better than mine. You have the perspective of seeing beginning to end. Forgive me for my impatience, my worry. You know what You are doing. Help me know, really know deep within me, that knowing You is enough. You are my Refuge, my safe place where my heart can rest secure, as You are about the business of accomplishing Your good purposes for me and even through me. 

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am He, 

I am He Who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4