Philip couldn't do it because he didn't have enough money (John 6:7). Andrew couldn't do it because he didn't have enough food (John 6:9). After all, there were 5000 men and most of them had families with them. The problem was how to meet the needs of a vast crowd of hungry people. Would I have had a suggestion if I'd been there? The only solution the disciples came up with was, "Get them off our hands; send them away; get rid of the problem."
When I'm in a tough situation do I find myself figuring, calculating, spinning my wheels, even though I know it's never enough?
Philip and the other disciples had just returned from a preaching tour during which people had been healed, demons cast out and God's power demonstrated in marvellous ways. Yet, in the light of all that, Philip thinks the need cannot be met because there is insufficient cash on hand. His real problem was spiritual bankruptcy. To Philip, it appeared to be no help at all that Jesus was right there! Does my union with Christ make any difference at all in the way I approach difficulties and temptations? Christ's Presence and power made no difference to Philip. Unless I lay hold of the resources in Christ, sin and fear and doubt will control my life.
Andrew counted only on inadequate food. Philip counted only on insufficient money. But a little boy ..... Do you think, just maybe, this child knew that, in the hands of Jesus, his little lunch could receive "power to become" sufficient for a multitude? To the little boy the vastness of the need and the poverty of the supply were totally unimportant; Jesus was all-important. He had learned that the secret of living miraculously is to reckon never with the circumstances but always with the Presence and power of Christ.
A little child shall lead them.
I can learn from that little boy to expose every situation to the Lord Jesus and in humble dependence on His adequacy, simply say, "Thank You;" then count on His Presence and power. If I really believe His promise that He will never leave me (Hebrews 13:5), then I can be sure of His Presence, knowing too that He could not be present while His power is absent.
I need to live my ordinary, everyday life MIRACULOUSLY, counting on His Presence and His power.
With love & prayers,