In John 6:5-6, a big crowd had followed Jesus, and they were all hungry. Jesus turned to Philip and asked, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But the Bible says Jesus already knew what He was going to do. He just wanted to test Philip.
Philip looked at the situation and said there’s no way they had enough money to feed all those people. He only saw the problem—but Jesus had a plan.
That’s how it is in our lives too. We see the need. We feel the pressure. And sometimes, we even feel like giving up. But God already knows what He’s going to do. He always has a plan.
1. God’s Plan Starts With a Need
God doesn’t only move when everything is going perfect. He moves when there’s a need. In this story, the people were hungry.
In your life, it might be money, family trouble, health, or something inside you that just feels broken. Whatever it is, that need is not a sign you’ve failed. It’s a chance for God to show up and help.
The need is what gets the plan started.
2. God’s Plan Shows Our Weakness
Philip said they didn’t have enough money. And he was right. But that’s the point. God’s plans usually begin when we realize we can’t fix it on our own.
God allows us to see how little we have, so we’ll trust in how big He is.
It’s not just that you don’t have enough. It’s that you know you don’t have enough—and that’s when you cry out to Him. He wants you to call on Him.
3. God Uses Weak Vessels
Andrew said there was a little boy with five loaves and two small fishes—but then said, “what are they among so many?”
That’s how we think too. We look at what we’ve got and think, “It’s not enough.” But that’s who God likes to use—weak people, overlooked people, people others don’t pick.
All through the Bible, God used people who didn’t have much:
• Moses had trouble speaking, but God used him to lead a nation.
• Hannah couldn’t have kids, but her prayers brought Samuel, a great prophet.
• David was just a shepherd, but he took down Goliath.
• Esther was an orphan girl, but she became queen and saved her people.
• The woman at the well had a messy life, but God used her to reach her city.
• Zacchaeus was a dishonest tax collector, but Jesus changed his life and used
him.
None of them seemed like the right person for the job—but God picked them anyway.
Here’s the pattern:
Need. Weakness. Vessel.
That’s how God works. So if you’re in a place where you feel needy, weak, or unsure—good. That means you’re in the perfect spot for God to do something big.
You may not see how it’ll work out, but Jesus already knows what He’s going to do.
Your job? Trust Him. Give Him what little you have. Let Him use you.
He has a plan—and He’s not making it up as He goes.
