“…And this He said to prove (test) him: for He Himself knew what He would do.” John 6:6
Dear Ones:
God is always previous. Not only does this apply to circumstances, but even to the words of our mouths. The Psalmist wrote: “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, You know it altogether.” (Ps. 139:4) In the story of the feeding of the five thousand, we read that Jesus, before He confronted Philip with the need and obligation of feeding such a multitude, already KNEW what He was going to do. God was previous in His design, and will, and purpose. What was the reaction of Philip when the Lord asked, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” (v.5) Philip was caught somewhat off guard, and reacted much in the same way that we would. He looks at the multitude, and then at the meager means of feeding them…five loaves of bread, and two fishes. What was the Lord Jesus seeking to teach Philip? It was that, for all that Christ commanded, He had ALREADY provided for its accomplishment. What does this mean to us, when we are faced with the impossible in the will of God, with our meager “means” of meeting the need? It is that we are to live by FAITH in the faithfulness of God, the God of the previous, who has already provided for all that He would have us trust Him for. It is ours to believe, receive, in order to give.
When Paul wrote to the Christians at Thessalonica concerning God’s work in them, to sanctify them wholly, they were confronted by the same issue of faith. Paul would later write to the Philippians: “He who has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6) Where are the resources for this to be accomplished? They will only be known and received by those who seek God for them. For Philip, he did not pray, or ask the Lord, what HE intended to do. And yet,this is the great issue. Moses prayed in Psalm 90:16, “….Let Your work appear unto your servants, and Your glory unto their children.” What is he doing here? He is tending to the first thing, with regard to the need at hand…to give God the initiative and total access to the situation because He is always previous. Paul would pray in like manner concerning the sanctifying work of the Spirit in the believers in Thessalonica: “…and I pray your God your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.23) The God of the previous has already provided…ours is to seek Him for grace to receive by faith.
Dear Father, You know all things, always, and at all times. Your call to us is always one of teaching us to live by faith, faith in the faithfulness of God. Give us to grasp, realize, and to live by the fact that You have already provided for every need that we, or others, might have, IN Jesus Christ. It is ours to pray, to seek You for what You desire to do, and will do, in answer to faith. O Lord, You who only do wonderful things, reveal to us Thy works, and strengthen our hearts to respond by prayer and faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad