Fear

Faith vs. the Fear of Inadequacy (Matt. 8:23-27, 14:14-21) You Feed Them (Matt. 14:16) Jesus will sometimes call upon us to do what appears to be impossible. The Fear of Inadequacy Christ’s disciples: Feared that they lacked the ability to survive the storm (Matt. 8:25, believed about to perish, Matt. 8:24, being covered by waves, Luke 8:23, filling with water, Mark 4:37, swamped) What kinds of “storms” have you experienced? (2 Cor. 6:4-10) Feared that they lacked the resources to feed the multitude (Matt. 14:17, Compare Num. 11:11-15, Moses) Have you ever felt that you lacked the resources to respond to a great need? Theses are very human responses when faced with overwhelming threats or needs. African proverb says, "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." “Storms” help us to realize that we have a limited ability to control events in our lives and therefore need to rely on God. (1 Cor. 1:8-9) Our abilities and resources are sometimes inadequate for the challenges presented us. However, fear sometimes causes us to forget the nearness of God and the availability of His assistance, and in doing so, to falter in our faith (Matt. 8:26) The disciples displayed a lack of faith in regard to feeding the multitude despite the fact that they had just watched Jesus heal the sick (Matt. 14:14) What was one more need? Bring them to me (Matt. 14:18) Meager as our resources are, Jesus asks us to give them into my hands. What resources? Our limited time, our limited money, our limited skills and abilities, our imperfect love, our limited knowledge & wisdom, our weak faith, etc. We should take an honest and realistic account of our resources before appealing to God (Mark 6:38) Why? So we can truly appreciate the miraculous things He accomplishes with them when we give them into his hands! Pray (Supplication)

Jesus looked up to heaven Supplication is the act of our beseeching God for His intervention into the lives of others and ourselves. We need to ask God for our needs and the needs of others. Elijah prayed for rain and the drought was broken. Daniel prayed for the Jews to be delivered from a tyrant and they went free. Paul prayed that the nations might hear the Gospel, and the Word of God was spread. Our supplications are our concerns spread before God. God longs to hear our specific concerns, earnestly and continuously presented, because that is the only way our lives will be made ready for the answer Psalm 61:2 – From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (See also 2 Cor. 6:2) With thanks Jesus gave thanks (see also Phil. 4:6, Compare Matt. 26:26-27) God’s Resources God controls nature (Job, Chapters 38 & 39, Gen. 8:1, Ex. 10:13, Num. 11:31, Ps. 65:7, 78:2627, 89:9, 93:3-4, 107:25 & 29, 135:7, 147:8, Isa. 51:10, Jonah 4:8, Hab. 3:8-10) There is no reason to fear when Jesus is in the boat! (Ps. 16:8, 23:4, Rom. 8:31, Heb. 13:5, quoting from Deut.31:6 and Joshua 1:5) Nothing can happen to you that is not "allowed" by the Lord. Remember that Satan had to ask God's permission before he could strike Job and harm him? (Job 1:6-12, see also Isa. 46:10-11) You do not have to fear limited resources when Christ is with you. He will not only supply enough, he will supply an abundance. (Ps. 23:1, Matt. 14:19-20, Compare 2 Kings 4:42-44) We are sometimes unaware of “reserves” close at hand that God is aware of. Perhaps you are among such “reserves” that He may call upon to meet the needs of others.