November 26 God Among You

Luke 9:14b-17 But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
 
WE have looked in previous lessons at some ways Jesus and his ministry fulfilled particular promises and prophecies from the Old Testament Law and Prophets. Could this Scripture be the fulfillment of Isaiah 12? Let’s “listen” closely to the prophet’s inspired words:
   Isaiah 12:1 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”  
   Jesus had already demonstrated how God had turned his anger from the Jews to comfort them with his saving powers to forgive, heal and preach for the salvation of many. Then, when Jesus prayed that day with his eyes “up to heaven and gave thanks”, God made himself known even more intimately among the people as he fed them all with much to spare.
   God had done the same through Moses and Elijah. The Jehovah Lord once again provided a bounteous bread supply. In addition, Jesus’ prayer and the praises of well-fed people were certainly songs to the Lord. These words honored the Father for the glorious ways he had come to feed his people their “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) and the Bread of Life (John 6:35). After all, his is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
   Oh yes, Isaiah’s words rang true that day. The “five thousand” fed had reason to, “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” God stood with his people, and they saw his salvation. Wow – wonder of wonders!
   Here’s a thought. When you pray, sometime stand and open your eyes up to Heaven. Give thanks as you remember how God has come to be “among you” in this very personal and eternal way the apostle Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?   
   Yes, rejoice. Eat and drink of Jesus’ salvation. Stand and pray, “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” (Psalms 136:2626)
 
Prayer: I stand before you Father. My hands and eyes are lifted up to you to praise you for eternal feeding of my soul. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, amen.