What Jesus Did! 'What Good Is That?' — John 6:8-9

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

[After Philip said that even wages from months of work wouldn't be sufficient to feed the crowd following Jesus] Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
— John 6:8-9 NLT

Key Thought

Our resources are limited. God's aren't. Our wisdom is limited. God's isn't. Our power is limited. God's isn't. What we offer, in the face of a great need, is small ... until it is brought to God through Jesus, and then it is multiplied, empowered, enhanced, broadened, increased, and made to be sufficient. As observed in yesterday's devotional, this expansion of our resources and abilities is not just our hope; it is God's track record throughout time with his people. Let's bring him what we have now to do his work, and not wait until we think we have the plan, the power, and the resources to do what only he can do. Let's quit waiting and wandering and wondering and bring him what we have.

Today's Prayer

Lord God Almighty, God of Israel and God of the nations, I come offering you who I am and what I have to be used for your work in the world. I know that my resources and abilities may not go very far in the view of a world in so much need, but I bring them to you because you are the mighty God and they are what I have. I believe that you can do more with them than I can. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Pointless?
Article by Patrick D. Odum
So what's the point of it anyway? Should we give up when things look hopeless? Of course not, because the point may not be in winning in the eyes of others, but having God accomplish in us what he wants.
TWENTY!
Article by Phil Ware
The Lord is not finished surprising us with His grace and power if we live for His purposes. Phil Ware takes time to reflect on twenty years on the web and to give thanks for those who got them there and for the Lord who continues to do miracles among us.
Holding Jesus' Miracles in My Hands
Article by Phil Ware
Sometimes we get to touch what Jesus has done and it is breathtaking! Phil Ware writes about Compassion international and seeing the incredible things God is doing through the projects in Fortaleza, Brazil using the help of sponsors and ground personnel to free children from poverty in Jesus' name.
Give Him What You Have
Article by Max Lucado
You know the paralyzing fear that surfaces when the information is too much to learn, the change is too great to make, the grief is too deep to survive, or the crowd is too numerous to feed. Max Lucado reminds us with Jesus' feeding of the crowd with five barley loaves and two fish that it is his job to make what we have sufficient for the moment.
See All 7 Related Resources about John 6:8-9

Illustration

Illustration of John 6:8-9 NLT — "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, April 21, 2026

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Romans 15:5-6
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Praying with Paul
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'Building Up Each Other' (2 Co. 1:23-2:11)
"Dear Father, giver of great joy, I hope that in my effort to get others to live for you that I will never lord it over their faith. Help me work with..."
God's Holy Fire
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'Full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom' (Ac. 6:3)
"[The apostles to the church in Jerusalem concerning ministering to the widows:] "And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the....."
Passion for Praise
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'Proclaim the Good News' (1 Ch. 16:23)
"Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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