DAILY DEVOTION, July 20, 21

Immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”  (Mark 6:50; for the full story see Mark 6:45-56).

The disciple’s first reaction to seeing Jesus walking on water was fear. That is understandable. To view a person walking on the surface of the sea is not an everyday occurrence! He tells them not to be afraid. It is Jesus who is there to aid His disciples.

Matthew adds a detail omitted by Mark. Peter makes an impulsive request.” Lord, if it is You command me to come to You on the water” (Matt. 14:28). Peter wonders if it is really Jesus. Jesus bids Peter to come, and Peter actually walks upon the water briefly. When he took his eyes off Jesus and began to reflect on the wind and the rain, he sank. Jesus had to pull him up and back into the boat.

Sometimes Jesus asks us to do impossible things. We are not sure if it is really Him, but we step out in faith. Then fear grips us. Am I really doing the will of God? Doubt and failure set in. But notice that even when Peter gave in to doubt the Lord saved him. I think the point is this. If you feel Jesus is asking you to do something you are not sure you can do, try it anyway. And if it fails turn to Him and He will lift you up.  Whether we succeed or fail, trust Jesus. He will not allow us to sink.

Father, I do often wonder if I am doing the right thing. I try to follow Jesus but I sometimes feel like Peter, that I am sinking. Help me to realize that as long as I am trusting in Jesus, He will be there for me. If I succeed in doing His will, He will bless me. If I fail, He will lift me up so I can try again. May His name be praised, Amen.