May 9

1 Samuel 5:1-7:17, John 6:1-21, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 14:32-33 

Pray: “Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord!” (1 Samuel 5:3). Here we find a false idol/god falling on his face before the Ark of the Lord, the presence of God. We find today that many do not know the Lord. Yet, throughout Scripture, the demons and the false gods recognize the Lord. Perhaps we, as followers of Jesus, as the people of the one true God, should fall on our faces and worship Him more often. Taking this posture reminds us of who God is and who we are in relation to Him. As you pray, consider your posture before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Read: The disciples, at least in John 6 really seemed to like the word “can’t.” They can’t feed everyone even if they worked for months. The young boy has some, but they can’t feed everyone even with the boy’s fish and bread. Then, Jesus acts. The thousands are fed and leftovers are collected. In the course of the day, how often do you use the word, “can’t?” Sometimes it’s an excuse word: “I can’t do more.” We really mean: “I don’t want to do more.” Sometimes, though, it’s more serious. We sometimes use “can’t” when thinking of our life circumstances: singleness, marriage, finances, health, children, country, world, etc. We think things simply can’t change. God forgive us for being just like those disciples on the hillside looking at the faces of a hungry crowd thinking that they can’t feed them. With Jesus, all things are possible. ALL THINGS! 

Edify: John 6:15 says, “When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.” This happens immediately after the people have witnessed the miraculous feeding of the 5,000+. The people were ready to force Jesus to be who they wanted and to do what they wanted. Have you ever tried to force God into a corner? “God, if you’re real, then you’ll do this for me…God, I know you want this, but….” That’s simply not how God operates. He’s not our employee. He’s not our subordinate. In fact, we ought to think of it as the other way around. We are in submission to God! God should be the one giving directions to us and we should be following Him in absolute obedience. How are you doing with this?

Practice: Three or four miles of rowing seems tough, especially in rough waters. When the disciples left Jesus, that’s what they faced. The waters rough, the distance long, and the night dark. You kinda know the feeling, right? You’ve been rowing for a while, but yet the waters are still rough and the light at the end of the tunnel seems elusive. There’s hope. Just like He met the disciples, He will meet you in the midst of your stormy sea. When they welcomed Him, “immediately they arrived at their destination!” If you want a break from doing all the rowing yourself, if you want calm instead of rough seas, invite Jesus, the Master, into your life’s boat and see where He takes you.