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Walking Nightmare

He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29
Walking Nightmare Book Cover

Try to put yourself in the disciples’ sandals. Exhausted from a long day of feeding the multitude, your boat has taken a beating from the wind and waves. It’s about 4:00 a.m., and now a person glides toward you stepping on the water as if the lake had congealed. If common sense somehow escaped your reasoning that people tend to sink when attempting to walk on water, you might also think back to your days in the synagogue and remember that only God walks on water (Psalm 77:19; Job 9:8; Isaiah 43:16). Of course, terror would cloud your mind and judgment, causing you to think a ghost strides toward you and your friends. In this moment, what could calm you?

presence calms fears

Not wanting to torture his disciples or play a terrible Halloween-esque prank on them, Jesus immediately calmed their fears. Rather than offering them a parable, platitude, or pep-talk, he gave them his presence. Their comfort came from his nearness. That short phrase, “It is I,” comes from the two Greek words εγωεμι (ego eimi), which couldalso be translated “I am.” These two terms, though small in stature, are giant in meaning. Jesus intended to harken back to the days of the Old Testament when God comforted his people with his name, Yahweh (Exodus 3:14)—the great I Am. I Am helped Moses free the Israelites, helped Joshua conquer Canaan, helped David establish his throne, and now I Am stood on the lake offering his presence in the midst of chaos. Like the saints before us, we also have the promise of I Am to stay with us in the midst of crisis. Our peace comes from his presence.

respond in faith

In response to Jesus’s invitation to have faith in him during times of uncertainty, Peter rightly asked to participate with Jesus. Peter showed great faith by getting out of the rocking boat, only to show the power of doubt in chaos. Doubt, as James teaches us, divides us in two (James 1:6–8). On one hand, Peter had the invitation and presence of Jesus telling him that despite all odds, he could and would walk on water. On the other, the wind and waves screamed loudly at Peter, “You will die!” This interaction between Jesus and his waffling disciple reminds us that faith in the midst of trials requires an undivided focus on our savior, not our surroundings. Though waves and wind churn all around followers of Jesus, we must return to Christ’s proclamation: Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.

courage comes from presence

Like the disciples and Peter, we will all face trials and tribulations, fears and failures, doubt and despair. Use Peter’s courage to help you get out of the boat at the invitation of Jesus. And, when you step out in faith, remain steadfast in keeping your eyes on Jesus. He comforts us not by making us strong or fearless. Rather, He comforts us by giving Himself to us. Wind and waves will come, but I Am will never leave you nor forsake you.

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Daily Question

What trials are you or others in your life facing where you need the reminder that Jesus stands in solidarity with you, offering you his presence? How can knowing you are never alone in the midst of hardship strengthen and encourage you?

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Comments (8)

The whole world is in chaos over the Caronavirus; even Christians are publicly stating their fear and anxiety. This is our moment to shine God’s light on the dark world we live in! Sure, admitting fear and worry (as a Christian) will help in that it’s transparent, but we must not leave out or FAITH that all will be well. As to the second question, until you actually have been left all alone, you will not know what it is like when Jesus comes to get you. You will not know the wonder, safety, and security of it.

The same trials as I answered yesterday – finances, some job insecurity, economy, and COVID-19.

Just knowing that He is with me (on ALL sides of me) gives me peace and joy. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Jesus standing with us in solidarity reminds me of the great faith Daniel had when he was thrown into the lions’ den and the great faith Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had when they were thrown into the fiery pit. God offered them His presence in the midst of great trails. Since He is the same yesterday, today and forever, I can trust that He will stand with me in the midst of hardship and that I’m never alone.

This reminds me of finances mostly.. making sure my husband and I are in the same page because that always seems to be our biggest struggle…. my medical costs are quite large and as his work has really slowed down with all of the quarantine… so it has impacted us tremendously… so we need to be mindful of spending and our communication…

When we are older we can look back on life and look at so many times of God’s faithfulness. One time on my first Home Assignment from the mission field, I had no money. I was in between a situation. At that time I came back to a stack of mail 1 1/2 ft high. Sorting through it I found an envelope from the County of Orange and in it a check for $900 of back child support. My daughter was 22!!! Just know in your trials that you serve a pretty creative God who loves to surprise us and knows what we need. It also reminded me that God was with me the whole time.

After suffering a miscarriage, especially multiple losses, it’s very easy to let the doubts and fears set in. To remember the previous outcomes and allow yourself to sink into the past. It’s difficult to remain hopeful that you’ll reach the finish line, when you never have before. Remembering that regardless of the outcome, He will never leave you and will always provide just enough strength to carry you through the store should be the truth that outweighs doubts and fears. I need to remember that

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