August 21, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. (John 6:6)

Before Jesus told His disciples to feed the crowd of five thousand, He already had a plan. The reason He asked Philip where they could buy food to give to them was to test him. The Greek word means to prove something in and through him. The Hebrew word for the same English word "test" in the portion of Psalm 105 which talks about Joseph's ordeal also means to confirm, to validate or prove true.

We should see challenges as opportunities to bear witness that we indeed have received power from on high, that the Spirit of God is upon us, and that we are partakers of His divine nature. Doing so proclaims to the world that He graciously chooses the imperfect and weak to manifest His wisdom and ability.