A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, December 9th

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.”

The devotional today is a reminder to me that although storms are a part of life, if I keep my eyes on Jesus and remain watchful and thankful for His many blessings, I will stay afloat. I read a little on the “Got Questions?” site about this passage, and came to an interesting statement: “Fear and faith cannot live in the same heart.” I am going to interpret that to mean that if I focus on my faith, focus on Jesus, fear will not have room to dominate. Faith will dominate.

Holy Lord, thank you for this new look at a familiar passage of scripture. I am so very thankful for your many blessings. I couldn’t do this life without you. Amen

Becky, transforming

“Come,” he said.