When God Multiplies What You Lack | Mark 8:1-10

The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Daryl Ackerman from Becker, MN. Daryl, your partnership with us through Project23 is bringing compassion and miracles to others. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:1-10:

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.— Mark 8:1-10

This crowd didn’t just stumble into a sermon. They stayed for three days. No food. No preparation. Just hungry hearts chasing after truth.

And Jesus notices.

He doesn’t just preach—He provides. He sees their empty stomachs and says something compassionate. In my words:

“I feel for the people. They have full souls and empty stomachs, and I cannot leave them in this condition.”

But the word Jesus uses here is—"compassion,"—which means to feel it in your gut. It wasn’t pity. It wasn’t obligation. It was love that moved him to act.

And the disciples? They still don’t get it. They respond:

“How can we feed all these people out here?”

Did they forget the feeding of the 5,000 just a few chapters ago? But Jesus doesn’t shame their forgetfulness—He invites them to participate.

“How many loaves do you have?”

They hand him what they have. Just seven loaves and a few small fish. And Jesus does what He always does—He multiplies. Everyone eats. Everyone is satisfied. And there are leftovers—seven baskets full. That’s the kind of King we serve. A King who notices. Who cares. Who multiplies.

Some of us need this reminder today.

Jesus sees your situation. He knows you’re worn down. He knows what you lack. And he’s not asking you for what you don’t have. He’s asking, “What do you have?” A little time. A few dollars. A short prayer. An act of obedience.

That’s where he starts. And if you give it to Jesus, he will use it. He will multiply it. Because Jesus still feeds. He still satisfies. He still multiplies. But it begins with you bringing what you have, and then you will see Jesus has no lack.

#GodProvides, #JesusFeeds, #FaithInAction

ASK THIS:

1. What small “loaves” could you offer to Jesus today?
2. Why do we forget what God has already done for us?
3. How do you know when God is stirring you to compassion?
4. What area of your life feels empty or “desolate” right now?

DO THIS:

Offer one small act of obedience today and ask God to multiply it for his glory.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I trust you with the little I have. Multiply it for Your glory and help me to see others through your compassionate eyes. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Jireh” by Elevation Worship & Maverick City