Daily Devotions – God Provides

Daily Devotions – God Provides

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Mark 8:1-21 NIV
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
8 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha. 11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat, and crossed to the other side.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

 

What does hardness of heart mean to you?

Hardness of heart to me means that someone’s heart (and mind) has become unconcerned with other people’s feelings and can’t or won’t sympathize with others. I think some of it is because of past hurts but more often I think it is pride, none of us wants to be proven wrong even if it causes others pain, This would be hard especially if someone’s whole life had been invested in a certain way and then someone comes along and says there is a better way, some people refuse to give up that lifetime investment.

Lord, I pray that you would keep my heart open and tender and keep my mind stayed on you. There is so much in this world that can certainly lead me away from your goodness even though you have shown me time and time again of your goodness and faithfulness to me. Even in doing good Lord, I need to be aware of my motivation and ensure that you are glorified in my words and actions. I pray that my words would not cause undue hurt to someone as I seek to serve in your name. May my words and actions bring glory to you. Help me to understand and accept that there will be people who refuse to see your goodness, you just ask that we may try to sow seeds where we can,

 

Today’s prayer was submitted by Jo Schneider