November 9, 2025
Happy Sunday,
The government shutdown got real for millions more Americans this week as food assistance funding ran dry for one in eight U.S. residents (read the latest update here and more background here).
It’s been a stark reminder that all human institutions—broken as they are by sin—are an unreliable source of security. Their motives are mixed, their resources are few, their execution is questionable, and needy ones always slip through the cracks. Compare them with Jesus:
“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ But Jesus said, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘We have only five loaves here and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.”
Matthew 14:14-20 (ESV)
Jesus gives out of compassion. He is not overwhelmed by the needs of the crowds. His resources are unlimited. He involves the disciples (who contribute nothing to the miracle except willing hands with a side of doubt).
And the abundance is stunning. Jesus doesn’t give just enough. Even His leftovers are 12x more than the packed lunch they began with. He’s so generous, and not a single person gets passed over or leaves His presence hungry.
Pray with confidence that He is eager and able to provide above and beyond what we need:
God our Provider,
You are the One who sees1 and knows—
the Lord who dropped manna from the sky in the wilderness,2
who multiplied a little picnic into a feast for thousands,
who turned water into wine to delight Your friends.3
Lord of Leftovers, would You provide generously, lavishly, abundantly
in this moment of need?
Use Your Church to bless the world, to share and to serve,
brimming and bubbling over with the grace You’ve poured into us.
Soften our hearts to be compassionate and quick to give4—
not hoarding out of fear of scarcity, but freely offering what You’ve given today
with confidence that You’ll meet tomorrow’s needs just like You met yesterday’s.5
Whether we look to a six-figure salary,
a government check that may or may not come,
or a kind friend at the food bank to meet our daily needs,
we acknowledge that we are utterly dependent on You.6
Your Spirit is life.
Your Word is bread.7
Everything we need is in You. Satisfy us,8
through Jesus our Lord,
Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Steph Juliot
Further Reading
1. Genesis 16, especially verse 13
2. Exodus 16:2-5
3. John 2:1-11
4. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
5. Matthew 6:25-34
6. Acts 17:25
7. Matthew 4:4
8. Psalm 107:9; Philippians 4:19
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