And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread."
But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?
Matthew 16:7-10

I find it encouraging to hear that these men who would become the Apostles struggled with the same dullness of heart that plagues me.

Isn’t it amazing how God has to teach us the same lessons over and over again? For more than seventy years, God has been teaching me to trust in Him for all my needs, and I still wonder how I’m going to pay for stuff. 

Last night we were talking about how He has just taken us through an adventure where He graciously provided more than three million dollars for a building project, when we had nothing, but I’m sure that we will be ready with our doubts as soon as the next, relatively minor crisis appears.

The twelve Disciples apparently had the same problem. The Lord Jesus was actually trying to teach them a completely different, more “spiritual” point, but here they were wondering about where the next meal would come from, obsessing about the fact that they had forgotten to bring lunch!

God’s patience is astonishing. He brings me back to the drawing board and starts drawing pictures for me to understand once again; I can trust Him here, too!

Thank You, Father, for being so patient with me as I stumble along, following the best I can. Amen!

Pastor Dan Giles