When Your Needs Outweigh Your Resources | Luke 9

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When have your needs outweighed your resources?

When my kids were little, we lived on food stamps and prayers. My husband was in seminary and working a part-time job while I cared for our young kids. Every month we prayed and prayed for God to provide—and we never went without what we needed (and it always felt miraculous). 

We all have times when our resources (energy, health, finances, etc.) are less than what we need. 

Scripture includes these moments, too. In the Old Testament, the Israelites wandered the wilderness after God rescued them from slavery. They had nothing to feed themselves. No bread. No herds. No spring water. They were completely dependent on God’s miraculous daily provision to rain bread from heaven and provide water from a rock (Exodus 16:4, 17:1–16). 

And in the New Testament there is a story that I think can help us know how to walk through our own wilderness seasons when our needs outweigh our resources.

Jesus’ Miraculous Provision

In Luke 9:10–17, the disciples had just returned from a short-term mission trip where they proclaimed the Kingdom of God and healed many people; they saw God’s power at work through them to do the impossible.

And now they face another impossible situation: feeding thousands of people with a box lunch of fish and bread. What happens next teaches us a pattern we can follow when we face our own lack.

First, the disciples told the Lord they did not have enough food (vv. 12–13), then they listened to Jesus’ instructions (v. 14), obeyed what Jesus told them (vv. 15–17), and witnessed the Lord’s provision through them to feed about 5,000 men plus women and children (v. 17).

When you face your own impossible situation, this story offers us guidance.

1. Tell God the problem specifically (vv. 12–13)

What is it that you need?

2. Listen to God’s instructions willingly (v. 14)

What does God’s Word say that can guide you in your situation? If there are no specific scriptures to guide you, ask God for wisdom and be willing to receive how it comes (James 1:5). And when in doubt, remember this: God’s wisdom will never contradict God’s Word or His character.

3. Obey God’s direction immediately (vv. 15–17)

The disciples didn’t question Jesus. They didn’t tell Him, “Are you sure? You know we don’t have enough food. How are you going to do this?” No. They did what Jesus told them to do, even if it didn’t make logical sense in the moment.

If scripture is clear about your next step in your impossible situation, obey that truth. If Scripture is not clear, when you think the Spirit has led you to the wisdom you need and it does not contradict the Word or God’s character, then obey what you know to do.

4. Participate in God’s provision deliberately (v. 17)

The disciples did the legwork Jesus told them to do. They organized the crowd, handed out bread and fish, and picked up the leftovers. God’s provision often comes in the form of God working through our obedience. (And sometimes that working is waiting on Him. Patience takes a lot of work!)

Since the early days of motherhood and seminary, our family has needed God’s miraculous provision many times. And every time I turn to God for help—there is work for me to do. Calls for me to make. Doors for me to knock on. Organization for me to attend to.

And sometimes, my hardest work has been to pray and obey (even when it’s hard).

Through the years I’ve learned that miracles happen when I tell God what I need, follow Him as I proceed, and obey His lead. Friend, whatever you are in need of today—finances, wisdom, health—God is ready for you also to tell Him what you need, follow Him as you proceed, and obey His lead. 

I don’t always have what I want—but I always have what I need. May it be the same for you.

Your Turn

What is impossible in your life that you need God’s help with? How does the miraculous provision of bread and fish in Luke 9 and the manna in the wilderness in Exodus 16–17 help you trust in God to provide? Pray about this or anything else on your heart. 

You can also use this prayer below. 

Lord God, thank You for being my provision. Thank You for (praise Him for the things you already have). Now, Lord, I ask for Your provision for (pray for what you need). Please give me the wisdom to know how You want me to proceed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.