Matthew 14:22–36 (NIV84)
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Have you ever been on a long car trip during bad weather? Have you ever been on a flight with lots of turbulence? You might understand then what that night was like on the Sea of Galilee for the disciples.
Another storm had brewed on the water. Only this time, Jesus wasn’t with them. He had remained on shore while the disciples went ahead of him to the other side. The constant buffering of the wind and the splashing of the waves left them weary and restless. What would happen? How would this turn out?
To make matters worse, the disciples thought they saw “a ghost” walking towards them. They were tired, weary, afraid, and that’s what they concluded about this strange sight. But it wasn’t a ghost coming to them, it was Jesus.
He knew what to do. He quickly made his voice, his presence, and his love known. He spoke words of comfort. “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter wanted to be sure it was the Savior, so he asked to come out on the water toward Jesus. Jesus told him to come. For a moment, Peter was walking on the water toward Jesus. But then he caught sight of the wind. Old fears returned. What would happen? How would this turn out? He began to sink.
Again, Jesus knew what to do. Immediately he reached out his hand and rescued Peter.
Yesterday’s devotion focused on the fear we have in known situations. Today we focus on the fear we have in unknown situations. But the comfort and solution in either situation remain the same. It’s Jesus. He came to save. His word brings peace. His promises can be trusted in known and unknown times.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, there is so much that I do not know. The things that I have never experienced before, the things that I have never gone through before, these things cause me to doubt and become fearful. Fill me with your confidence. Let me step forward in faith knowing you came to save and your Word brings me peace. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.