MARK 6:50-52: “They all saw him and were terrified. Right away he said to them, “Be brave! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them. The wind died down. And they were completely amazed. They had not understood about the loaves. They were stubborn.” (NKJV)‭‭

OBSERVATION: Am I stubborn? Is my heart open and believing, or am I quick to forget the grace of God that has been so freely poured out on my life?  

The word stubborn in this verse is literally translated “hardened heart”. The word hardened in the Greek means – “non porous”. When water is poured on this type of surface, it simply runs off. When God’s Word is poured out on a hard, a stubborn heart, it is not able to take root. When Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water they were terrified. However, when he calmed the wind and sea they were completely amazed. Why?

Their hearts were non porous. They did not understand about the loaves.

What do loaves of bread have to do with Jesus calming the sea? Everything! Who could take 5 loaves of bread, and two small fish, and feed a crowd of 5000 men, not including women and children? The answer is – only the Lord God, the Creator of all things! Here, in their boat, stood the Lord of all, the Creator of all, Jehovah Jireh – the Lord who provides, and they could not even see it. God had miraculously provided and multiplied the loaves right before their very eyes. Was it too hard to understand that He could walk on water and calm the raging sea?

So what does that have to do with me? Everything! How often has the Lord graciously answered my prayer, opened a door of provision, or given me wisdom in a time of need? If I look back on my life, I can see the hand of God, daily, moment by moment, providing all that I have ever needed. Yet – when something comes along that is bigger or different than what I have already experienced, I seem to quickly forget these wonderful and powerful provisions of His Grace.

I too find myself failing to “…understand about the loaves…”

When the children of Israel crossed the Jordan river, to enter the promised land, the Lord told them to erect 12 stones as a memorial of God’s miraculous provision of helping them cross through the middle of the river on dry ground. This memorial was to be a constant reminder of God’s provision. It was to be a testimony of the power of and faithfulness of the Lord in their lives. And, it was to be a teaching instrument for their children, and their children’s children.

We too need to set up memorials in our lives to remember the faithfulness of God and His provisions of mercy and grace. We can hang a picture, write in a journal, jot down an entry in our Bible, record a video, create a piece of art, or anything that will help us recall what the Lord has done in our lives. As we pass by these each day, it will be a constant reminder of His faithfulness. If He extended His grace and mercy to us then – He will continue to do so today, and all the days of our lives.

He is faithful, and He will provide all of our needs, as we place our trust in Him!

• “My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus. Give glory to our God and Father for ever and ever. Amen.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19-20‬ ‭NIRV‬‬

In Jesus Name!