Day 2

“I stood there on the edge of the boat, listening as Jesus called out my name. I was panicked on the inside. He was calling for me to step out onto the water. All I could think was that I would instantly sink. Fear was quickly eating away at my thoughts. I took a deep breath and stepped out. For a few moments, as my eyes stayed focused on His, I stayed above the waves. I was soon taken over by fear though, and I began to sink. I closed my eyes, and saw a hand reach out to me and pull me back up again. As we went back to shore, I felt ashamed of my fear. Jesus pulled me into His embrace, and I felt the warmth of His love."

Bible Passage:

As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone with God.

But the disciples, who were now in the middle of the lake, ran into trouble, for their boat was tossed about by the high winds and heavy seas.

At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!”

Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!”

Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!”

“Come and join me,” Jesus replied.

So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out.

Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?”

 And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. Then all the disciples crouched down before him and worshiped Jesus. They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!” 

Matthew 14:22-33 TPT

Observation:

Faith is a muscle we all have to exercise. We don’t suddenly acquire perfect faith when we become a Christian. It’s something we have to work to develop. Think about a baby’s first steps. A baby doesn’t come out of the womb ready to walk. It has to grow strong before it can even attempt to stand up on its legs, and the process of learning to stand and walk usually involves more falling down than anything else! It takes time and effort, but eventually the baby is forging a path ahead. The next thing you know, you’re chasing them around the house! That’s how our faith should be! It should grow more and more, and even when we do stumble, we don’t have to start from the beginning, but we bounce right back up and continue moving forward. 

Prayer:

Dear Jesus - 

Help me to continue growing my faith. Like Peter, it’s easy to fall back into doubt when I take my eyes and focus off of you. Help me to increase the steps of faith that I take on my journey, so that I may grow in my ability to follow You.