Devotion: “So they ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.” Matthew 14:20
Throughout my life; I’ve heard the age old idiom; “He or she is a basket case.” Somehow, I knew it was not a good thing. Originally the term was used during WWI; describing a soldier who lost his arms and his legs in the war. He had to be carried out in a basket. In current times; the phrase is (idiomatic, slang, potentially offensive) One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic or stress. Example follows:
- She was a complete basket case the morning of her wedding.
- Even as a child; I loved this miracle story straight from the Bible. To read it in it’s entirety; enjoy reading Matthew 14:15-21.
- This basket case was a very good thing. The story began with the disciples complaining to Jesus about being in “a deserted place.” It was dinner time and five thousand people were hungry. The disciples’ solution was to send them away; to go get their own food. Why?
- ...because these twelve were powerless to feed five thousand people.
- Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away, You give them something to eat.” One little boy had five loaves and two fishes. The Lord said powerful words over their powerless situation:
- “Bring them here to me.”
- Jesus commanded the people to sit down on the grass. All five thousand sat down; as Jesus blessed what the Father had provided. The twelve disciples began to pass out the five loaves and two fish that Jesus had blessed. Can you imagine the disciples panic; as they began to pass out the food? Jesus had blessed it but how in the world was this little boy’s lunch going to feed all these people?
- The disciples panic turned into provision.
- When everyone was full; the disciples began to collect the leftovers. Twelve baskets came back; FULL! Don’t you just love it? What began as a powerless, stressful, panicked situation; the disciples watched as Jesus provided.
- Dear Reader; what is the one thing in your life, that looks hopeless? Don’t be a basket case. Instead; remember the case of the twelve baskets. Offer it up to heaven and trust God for your provision.
- Prayer in Motion:
- Lord Jesus, You will provide what I have need of. You always have and always will. May I lift my head toward heaven and bless You, Jehovah Jireh. I thank You right now; ahead of time, for all Your provision. Forgive me for all the times I’ve failed to trust You Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen
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