“Therefore Jesus … said to Philip: ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?’ This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.” (John 6:5-6)

The Bible tells us here that Jesus knew what He was going to do that day. He already knew that He was going to multiply the loaves to feed the multitude. But He asked this question of Philip specifically for the purpose of testing him, to see how he would respond. Has it occurred to you that if He did that with Philip, then certainly He does the same thing with you today?

Undoubtedly the Lord brings situations into your life which “ask you questions” in a sense: “What are you going to do about this? How will you handle this?” — all the while, just like in John 6, He Himself knows what He is going to do — but He wants to see (or perhaps better, He wants YOU to see; He already knows!) what your response will be. How developed is your faith & trust in Him?

This verse gives us great insight into the way that Jesus dealt with His disciples — and undoubtedly how He works with us today in the same way: HE DOES TEST US.

So be on the alert: God is going to bring something into your life which may appear difficult or perplexing — but it is just a test. Be sure to ask Him today for wisdom and grace to recognize and respond to your test in a way that will please and glorify Him.