Be Still, and Know That I Am God # 4

In the Wilderness

This same Gospel of the fullness gives its own special account of the feeding of the five thousand. It lays stress that those hungry multitudes could only be fed if they first sat down. "Jesus said, Make the people sit down ... So the men sat down ... Jesus therefore ... distributed to them that were sat down" (John 6:10, 11). What does it mean, this reiteration of the fact that the miracle was not performed until all the five thousand were seated on the grass? Is it not a further example of the condition laid down by the psalmist for finding out by experience that He is God? "Be still!" Be still from your advice to send people away! Be still from your questions as to why and how you should be asked to give them to eat! Be still from your arithmetical calculations about money required, and from your arguments that the five small loaves are so insufficient!
Be still, and know that I am God."

It was the disciples, as well as the multitudes, who needed to find a place of rest. Their agitation was doubtless well intentioned. It was the natural reaction in such a moment of stress. We modern disciples are no better than they, and often we ourselves are under pressure which though well meant can only move us from quiet confidence in our Lord. We are urged that we must act. We are told that it is up to us. We are condemned for wanting to pray instead of doing something. There are always so many arguments which appear spiritual and which can be backed by suitable texts, but which are opposite of what the psalmist calls for.

In the "Life of Hudson Taylor" we read of how his chief companion on pioneering journeys, Mr. Duncan, found himself stranded in Nanking, with no possibility of financial help reaching him. As the last piece of silver had to be changed, the anxious cook asked him what they should do when the money was all gone. "Do?", was Duncan's quiet reply; "We will trust in the Lord and do good, and verily we shall be fed." And so it proved. What was true in Palestine at the beginning of the era, was equally true in China in 1867, and it is still true in London in 1962 [and still true today!] If we maintain our confidence, the Lord will display His power.

~Harry Foster~

(continued with # 5 - (Pentecost)