A Daily Devotion for Thursday, July16

Matthew 14:22-33

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.”

Psalm 31:1-2

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame;

deliver me in your righteousness.

Turn your ear to me,

come quickly to my rescue;

be my rock of refuge,

a strong fortress to save me.

The times in my life when I was most desperate to know God was with me involved my children. I remember one night in particular Kenny was 3 or 4 years old and he had developed croup. Every single breath was noisy and labored. He finally fell asleep in bed, but I couldn’t leave him. I sat on the floor of his room, listening. I think I knew at some level that I had no control, but I also could try to save him if things got worse. Shortly after I started my vigil, Tom appeared in the doorway and said, “Would you like me to take him to the ER?” I tearfully nodded. Off they went, and were home an hour later. Kenny had jumped up out of the car at the hospital and run happily around in the parking lot before going in to the ER. The night air had broken the croup’s grip, and he was breathing easily. No treatment needed. That night was one of my lowest lows followed by my highest high. God was there at every moment in the story, keeping me at Kenny’s bedside, bringing Tom into the picture for me (even though Tom was much less worried about the croup than I was, had treated many children with this condition during his years as a pediatrician), and allowing Kenny his safe outing to the hospital in the middle of the night. I can’t in all honesty remember my prayers that night, but God was certainly there for us all, protecting our family. I am sure there were times that night I nearly lost faith and anticipated the worst. But regardless of the outcome, God would be (and was) there with us.

Holy Lord, you are ever-present and always in control. No matter the outcome, I need to continue to have faith in you, that you will bring me and my family through any trial. Amen

Becky, transforming