“Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:5-11
The disciples were wondering where they were going to get their next meal from. Jesus said to them. ‘why do you reason that you have no bread?’ Matthew 16:6. Jesus rebuked them and said that they had no faith. Why were they reasoning from their lack, instead of having faith in God’s greatness, especially after seeing how He had multiplied lunch twice already before them? He wanted them to reason from His abundance, instead of their lack.
We too can reason from our lack rather than from God's abundance. Jesus had performed two great miracles before them by multiplying food and yet they were still concerned that they wouldn't have enough food in the future. The Father had proved to them that nothing was too hard for Him and that He would always look after them as His Disciples. We too can forget all that God has done for us in the past, and reason from our lack rather than His abundance. We have a far better position than they had, for we are His beloved Children.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
We read here that God supplies us from His abundance and not from our lack. Its according to His riches, not ours. We may have an empty pantry but His supply is endless. Its from His riches.
We need our minds renewed so that we will always reason from His place of victory and abundance rather than from our place of lack. We are His children, we are not victims, we are victors who belong to His Royal Family.
When we live from this exalted position we can ‘Praise God’ by faith for His abundance, knowing that He has promised to supply all our needs even before we can see anything happen. Even if it was our fault that we are in this place of lack or in financial trouble, He still promises that He will supply our needs, for we are His beloved children. He may want us to make some changes in our lifestyle to bring it all about or even repent of sin, if it’s the problem, but its all moving towards the supplying of our needs from His riches.
Praise helps us to get into the right head space. We praise beforehand knowing that the answer is going to come. one way or the other. We are told to put on the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness. “The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;” Isaiah 61:3 The garment of praise is full of light and dispels darkness. It trumps oppression and heaviness. When we start praising God it puts us in a position to hear from Him and is like a runway for Him to deliver.
“But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel” Psalm 22:3 KJV
When we start praising God with this confidence, that He will come through for us, He responds by coming and providing our needs. We create a platform a throne for Him to dwell when we praise.
King David said that seven times a day he would praise God for his word. Psalm 119:164. The word for praise here is ‘Halal’, which means in Hebrew ‘to shine, flash, to boast, to make a fool of yourself, to be very enthusiastic or to rave.’ Indeed David was a ‘raver’, and not afraid to make a fool of himself. Remember how he danced before the Ark of God in his under clothes, as it was brought into Jerusalem. If He could do this under the law how much more should we be praising God under grace. 70 x 7 even.
My suggestion in times of lack (and that includes a need of healing), is to start praising God from the perspective of His Provision rather than allowing yourself to despair as you look at your own lack. Your pantry maybe empty but His is always full, so start praising Him and as you do your praise will draw down blessings from heaven to earth.
Don't let the Devil bring you down through reasoning from your lack. Pull yourself up and decide to reason from God’s faithfulness and abundance. Don't lean upon your own reasoning, but trust the Lord with all your heart. You are a child of God and your Father will never stop caring for you. He may want you to make some adjustments to help in the future, but He still delights in your prosperity.
“Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long.” Psalm 35:27.
Here they were encouraged to shout for joy and praise God all day long, because He delights in our prosperity. Praise Him even before it happens. Remember how the walls of Jericho came down? The children of Israel were to walk around this problem and blow the trumpets and then the walls fell down. The whole process took 7 days to complete, and your situation may take some time to be sorted before your deliverance happens as well.Namaan the leper had to dip in the Jordan river 7 times before he was healed. If he only did it for 6, nothing would have happened. We need to arm ourselves with this type of reasoning, for with God all things are possible and as His Children, all things are possible to those who believe.Jesus said.
“Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23