As I have noted on numerous occasions, both of the Bibles that I use for study have over 35 years of ink spread throughout. And in my studies I have many many times run across a note or comment pertaining to a passage that speaks to where I am today. Well, it happened the other day as I was considering a couple of problems I have set before the Lord regarding His plan for Uganda. And low and behold He took me to John’s Gospel and his comments on feeding the 5,000.  And there it was written in the margin … “How To Solve A Problem.” And I guess I could add … “In Four Steps.”

Look Away

John 6:5-6 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. ESV 

The Lord tests us in impossible situations. Can we lift up our eyes and see the challenge that He has put before us? Can we see the needs of the 5,000 that He sees?

Look Within

John 6:7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” ESV

What are we focused on? Do we limit ourselves by our “natural” view of the problem when it doesn’t provide an anwer. Do we leave Jesus out of the picture, forgetting all that He has shown us?

Look Around

John 6:8-9 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” ESV

Are we limited by what we see around us that says it can’t be done with what we have?

Look To Jesus

John 6:10-12 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” ESV

Are we prepared to look to Jesus for the answer? Do we give Him thanks for what we do have and in faith entrust it all to Him?

Jer 32:17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. ESV

Are we prepared to get our eyes off of our circumstances and see the challenge that Jesus has given to His bride, to His church. We cannot allow the problems and challenges that come our way to ovecome us and take us off of His commandment to pick up the fragments?

Mark 16:15-16 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim [preach; make known] the gospel to the whole creation [men]. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ESV

Matt 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples [teach] of all nations [all people], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ESV

The answer to all our problems is first and foremost to lift our eyes off of the problem we are focused on, and by faith see what Jesus is focused on. It is the plan of the enemy to keep our eyes focused on the circumstances that distract us from what Jesus wants us to see; becuae that is where the true solution to the problem will be found … by faith in the One for whom nothing is too hard.