I have given

Often times we hear missionaries or church leaders speaking of certain nations as open and closed to the gospel. If a nation is open it is legally willing to receive Christian missionaries. If a nation is closed it is illegal for a Christian missionary to enter with the purpose of evangelizing and church planting.

In Joshua 6 - we see the children of Israel facing a "closed" city. In fact, this city is large, fortified, and a formidable military opponent. Yet we see the Lord has commanded the city of Jericho to be destroyed and it will be done in a supernatural manner. The use of a great military force by Israel is unnecessary and in fact, the method employed by Israel is contrary to sound military advice.

With this said, Jesus has commanded us to go forth into all the world and preach the gospel. Is there such a thing as a "closed" nation when God has commanded us to go everywhere - even to the utter most parts of the earth? As a missionary to Africa - I know of areas that are hard to reach and closed to traditional methods of outreach. It is these areas I believe we can expect the supernatural power of God as seen at Jericho to again be prevalent. Three times in the book of Joshua the LORD speaks and says, "I have given".

It may take some imagination and courage - but I believe the Lord "has given" us a command to reach all people, nations, tongues, and tribes. In that giving of the command - our Lord has equipped us supernaturally to open that which is closed!

what are they among so many?

As believers, the Lord has commissioned us to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the entire world (Mark 16:15). It is easy to get frustrated by the immense task before the Church of God. Today's church seems weaker and more unfocused than ever. If that were not enough, statistically the job is too large and frankly impossible for the resources at hand. Billions of people still have yet to hear even the Name of Jesus Christ while those that do know that precious Name seem entangled by the allures of this world.

As the Master - Teacher, Jesus uses a lad that has only five barley loaves and two little fishes (John 6:9) to feed 5,000 men and prove a point so easily overlooked. As the Lord goes about this miracle Andrew jumps in with the question we all ask, "but what are they among so many?" It seems that is the point to the lesson --- little is much when God is in it. If I am honest with myself - Andrew's concerns are my own concerns even today. Most Christians would say - yes, lets win the world and go to the utter most parts of the earth... but what can I do among so many??? How can we make a righteous impact on this world?? We are so few, and they are so many...

By the end of this lesson, at least 5,000 men were fed and there are now 12 extra baskets of food. In predictable and anticlimactic manner Jesus says, "gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." Would to God the church would get serious for just one generation and seek to feed the world with the only food that will not leave them hungering and thirsting any longer - the gospel message of Jesus Christ.