Today’s readings:
Numbers 11:4-15
Psalm 81:12-17
Matthew 14:13-21
Holy warriors are gung ho to engage in the war, but oftentimes might lack men and materiel. We say, “Give us 300 Gideonites and we will get the job done” or “Give us the manpower and means by which to wage the battles and we will secure the victory.” Since we are engaged in spiritual war due to the work God has given us, and God loves us, and God wants the best for His children, and God considers us His chosen people, and God is all powerful, then He should provide all we need, right?
In truth, the burden for performance is not with us but with God. It is His work after all, and we are mere instruments. Thus, faced with the discontent of the Israelites, Moses complained to God, “Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with all this people? Was it I who conceived all this people? Or was it I who gave them birth?” (Nm 11:11b-12a). And in fact, on our own we cannot do what God wants us to do. “I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me.” (Nm 11:14).
Now the truth is that since this is God’s work, then He will provide. Why then are we experiencing shortages of manpower and means? Well, it is not God’s fault, but entirely ours. Because of our sin. Because we are not content with what we have. Because we are not holy. Because we are hard of heart. Because we do not obey. “But my people did not listen to my words; Israel would not submit to me. So I thrust them away to the hardness of their heart; ‘Let them walk in their own machinations.’” (Ps 81:12-13).
Consider how God can easily provide for what is needed, how God can provide the resources for our life and mission, how God can win the victory. Let us look at the feeding of the 5,000. First, God looks to us to do the work. “Give them some food yourselves.” (Mt 14:16b). You can do it; just do it. But we say, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” (Mt 14:17). Excuses. Reasons. Justifications. Lack of vision. Lack of trust.
But what is the reality of what God can do? “O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways, in a moment I would humble their foes, and turn back my hand against their oppressors.” (Ps 81:14-15). In a moment. Not tomorrow, but today. Not later, but now.
So Jesus took, blessed, broke and gave away the loaves and fish. “They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full.” (Mt 14:20). They even had more left over than what they started with!
God is able to accomplish the impossible. God works miracles. God provides for what is needed, and even beyond what is needed. So again, there is no lack with God. The problem is us. To accomplish the divine work of God, what are needed are holy warriors.
What are holy warriors?
They avoid sin.
They fully trust in God.
They obey His every command.
They are not discontent with what they have.
They do not complain.
They are totally committed to the cause.
They give their all.
They are zealous in engaging in spiritual war.
God already acted. We just need to respond. Then God acts even more.
Let us try to be the holy warriors God calls us to be. Then we will not lack for anything, but rather would experience abundance. “But Israel I will feed with the finest wheat, I will satisfy them with honey from the rock.” (Ps 81:17).
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