Unwavering Faith: Lessons from the Feeding of the 5,000

July 3, 2024 EMMANUEL ADEBAYO AJIBOLA

Faith, as described by D. Elton Trueblood, is not just about belief without evidence but rather trust without reservation. This aligns with the Biblical definition: faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Many people often misunderstand faith, not realising how it operates or how it can grow. Faith serves as the foundation of an obedient life. Without faith, spirituality cannot flourish, and hope is diminished.

Having faith in God transcends simply waiting patiently; it involves our actions and attitudes during trials and temptations. Our behaviour in these moments contributes to the outcome of our prayers and demands. There are times when our problems seem insurmountable, but with a bit of trust in God, situations can miraculously improve. The Bible emphasises that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 people (found in Matthew 14:13–21 and Luke 9:12–17) exemplifies this principle. The crowd followed Jesus with faith, trusting that He would provide for them. Jesus, in turn, demonstrated his own faith by believing that God would multiply the limited food available—just two fish and three loaves of bread.

This faith was rewarded as God multiplied the food to feed everyone present, with leftovers remaining. Some might argue that Jesus, being divine, naturally expected his prayers to be answered. However, it is essential to remember that He took on human form, experiencing life as we do.

The feeding of the five thousand serves as a powerful reminder that even in seemingly impossible situations, we must hold on to our faith in God and trust in His goodness while awaiting His blessings. Human nature often leads us to lose faith in difficult times, such as losing a crucial contract, experiencing a miscarriage, or failing an exam repeatedly. These challenges can make us question God’s love and care.

When we do not receive what we want immediately, our faith can falter. However, these trials may be tests of our faith and opportunities for us to demonstrate steadfastness and a willingness to trust in God again. Just as Jesus fed the five thousand, we are encouraged to remain unwavering in our faith. As Joel Osteen once said, “I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, and if you are grateful, you will see God open new doors.” This perspective reminds us that maintaining faith, trust, and gratitude can lead to new and unexpected blessings.