A REMOTE LOCATION

A REMOTE LOCATION

READ:  Mark 8:1-13

My God will meet all your needs

according to the riches of his

glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Tristan da Cunha Island is famous for its isolation.  It is the most remote inhabited island in the world, thanks to the 288 people who call it home.  The island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, 1,750 miles from South Africa-the nearest mainland.  Anyone who might want to drop by for a visit has to travel by boat for seven days because the island has no airstrip.

Jesus and His followers were in a somewhat remote area when He produced a miraculous meal for thousands of hungry people.  Before His miracle Jesus said to his disciples, “[These people] have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.  If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way” (Mark 8:2-3).   Because they were in the countryside where food was not readily available they had to depend fully on Jesus.  They had nowhere else to turn.

Sometimes God allows us to end up in desolate places where He is our only source of help.  His ability to provide for us is not necessarily linked with our circumstances.  If He created the entire world out of nothing, God can certainly meet our needs-whatever our circumstances-out of the riches of His glory, in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).  JENNIFER BENSON SCHULDT

Dear God, thank You for all that You have provided through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  You know what my needs are.  Please reassure me of Your care and power.

We can trust God to do what we cannot do.

INSIGHT

The exact location where Jesus fed 4,000 people with only seven loaves of bread is unknown, but the fact that it was a remote site is an important detail because it indicates a lack of access to food.  In this passage, as in so many others (Matthew 9:36, 14:14; 20:34), Jesus acts compassionately toward those in need.  The setting of this event allowed Jesus to show His great love and affection to hungry and weary people.  DENNIS MOLES

Have a bless night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace