The Reviving of Hope!
In the Gospel of Mark Chapters 6 and 8, there are two of the many miracles that Christ performed.
In Mark 6, Jesus was moved with compassion toward a large crowd that had been following Him and His disciples.
They were in a deserted place where Jesus had said: “Come away to a deserted place and rest awhile.”
But the multitudes had followed them there. His disciples wanted to send them away to buy food for themselves.
But Jesus said: “You give them something to eat.” Here we have the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand; feeding the crowd with five loaves and two fish, and ending up with twelve baskets of fragments, and of the fish.
In Mark 8, Jesus again had compassion on a very large crowd that had continued with Him for three days and had nothing to eat, some having come a long way.
His disciples said to Him: “How can we satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”
Here we have the miracle of the feeding of the Four thousand, with only seven loaves of bread, and a few small fish. There were seven large baskets full of fragments left over.
Later on, having forgotten to take bread with them in a boat, Jesus warned them of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. But the disciples thought He said this because they had no bread.
But Jesus was aware of their way of thinking, saying: “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes do you not see? And having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?
When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”
They said “Twelve.” “Also, when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”
Then He asked them a very compelling question: “How is it that you do not understand?”
The Spirit of the LORD is going to show you a very compelling revelation that is going to open the eyes of your understanding concerning how you perceive His working in your life.
He is calling you to accede, to yield to Him.
He is calling you to present your self as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him, not being conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, and, by being conformed to the image of His dear Son.
As the disciples had forgotten all about the sights and sounds of the scenes where the miracles took place, the Spirit of the LORD is making you aware that He has not forgotten the sights and sounds of the scene of when you first came to Him, and how you came to know Him as your first love.
“Come away now,” says the LORD, “and I will restore unto you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten.
The eyes of your understanding are going to be enlightened again and you will know that the hope of your calling is being revived and restored unto you, for I will perform My good Word toward you to bring you back to this place.
For I AM you shield, and your exceedingly great reward.”
~ Thomas Downes
Thomas Downes. Walking with the LORD for over 40 years, Thomas runs “The Voice of the Writer” a Prophetic Ministry. His purpose is to present the Word of God and the Love of God with the prophetic heart; the heart that desires to hear the Voice of the LORD, and present His Word for the encouragement of others.