[While Jesus was praying alone], the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, "It's a ghost!"
But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!" [Literally, just "I AM."]
—Matthew 14:24-27 NLT
The disciples' peril is our own. After having launched out in faith, we often find ourselves confronted with opposing forces and powers over which we have no control. But in these storms, Jesus is not absent. He is there in the middle of their rage calling to us to have courage and not be afraid! Why? Because he is "I AM." The God who created the world, who delivered Israel in the Exodus and gave his name to Moses as "I AM" (Exodus 3:14), and who entered our world in flesh and blood as Jesus is still the God who meets us in our moments of crisis and supports us in our struggles as we seek to serve him and find our way home to him.
Great I AM, please make your presence known and your will clear as I seek to serve you and venture out in faith. I need your strength and might and power to calm the raging storm of doubt in my heart and to quiet the forces that are in opposition to my efforts to serve you. Please be near and give me courage. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!" [Literally, just "I AM."]
—Matthew 14:24-27 NLT
Key Thought
The disciples' peril is our own. After having launched out in faith, we often find ourselves confronted with opposing forces and powers over which we have no control. But in these storms, Jesus is not absent. He is there in the middle of their rage calling to us to have courage and not be afraid! Why? Because he is "I AM." The God who created the world, who delivered Israel in the Exodus and gave his name to Moses as "I AM" (Exodus 3:14), and who entered our world in flesh and blood as Jesus is still the God who meets us in our moments of crisis and supports us in our struggles as we seek to serve him and find our way home to him.
Today's Prayer
Great I AM, please make your presence known and your will clear as I seek to serve you and venture out in faith. I need your strength and might and power to calm the raging storm of doubt in my heart and to quiet the forces that are in opposition to my efforts to serve you. Please be near and give me courage. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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