No Need Too Great For God

No Need Too Great For God

“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and passed them out to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate until they were full. –John 6:9, 11

Sometimes it seems as if the hurt in a relationship is too deep, the damage to a reputation too pervasive, the need for resources too great for hope to make any sense. Rarely would we dare to say out loud, “This problem is too big, even for God,” but if we’re honest, we can’t help but feel that way at times.

Jesus must have known Philip was thinking that way when he asked Philip where they could buy bread to feed the huge crowd that followed them. “It would take a small fortune to feed them!” Philip answered (John 6:7). He had done the math and it just didn’t add up. But Philip left Jesus out of the equation. And Jesus wanted to teach Philip that there is no need so great that he cannot meet it. In fact, Jesus had already determined how he would feed the hungry people, drawing on compassion the disciples could not comprehend and resources they knew nothing of. He multiplied the gift offered by a boy in the crowd, and everyone ate until they were satisfied. Jesus often uses what others offer to meet the needs of those he loves, and by his grace and power he multiplies it in the process.

You may have a problem that is too big for you, but it is not too big for God. He says, “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Though your situation may seem impossible, Jesus has resources you know nothing about and compassion you cannot comprehend.

Not only is there no need too great for God to meet it, there is no hunger so deep he cannot satisfy it. The people he fed were hungry the next day. But when we come to Jesus fully aware of our desperate need and fully convinced of his ability and willingness to meet our need, he satisfies and sustains. The Bread of Life that Jesus wants to give you is the only thing that will satisfy your soul. When we eat this life-sustaining Bread, like the people on the hillside that day, we are fully satisfied.

Great Multiplier, the need I have for a miracle seems too big, even for you. But I see your compassion, your power, and your sufficiency, and I believe you will supply all my needs as I depend on you for life itself.

DIGGING DEEPER