Devotional

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33

Life with Jesus is an interesting one. In this life we will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world. Not only is Jesus a guiding light in the seas of trouble, we get to walk with Him through life. You see, Jesus not only rescues us, He also gives us opportunities to learn and grow. He caught up to His disciples in the middle of the lake walking on water. The wind and the waves must have troubled the disciples, so much that Jesus was perceived as a ghost. Well, who could blame them? One does not typically approach a boat walking on water.

Enter Peter. A man who rushes into things, and often gets his foot in his mouth, asked Jesus to command him to come on the water. Jesus had a lesson already prepared for when Peter doubted and began to sink. His hand rescued Peter, and Peter got the experience of a lifetime. He walked on water, even if only for a short time, before he was overtaken by fear. The other disciples stayed on the boat passively. Jesus calmed the winds and led them safely to shore. All the disciples were rescued, but Peter had taken the extra step. This is how we should walk with Jesus, even if we fail, we may experience and learn something valuable.

Prayer

Jesus, you are the light in the darkness and darkness cannot overtake you. When you call for me to step out in faith, may I do so boldly, not allowing the darkness to intimidate me. May I keep my eyes ever on you and not the troubling seas that surround me. In this world there will be trouble, but YOU have overcome the world. I place my trust in you and walk in your light.

Scripture Memorization

John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: My Lighthouse from Rend Collective

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs