Courage and confidence!
Verse for Today: Monday, January 06, 2014
Matthew 14:27 - But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying 'Take courage, it is I; do not be
afraid.
Storms in the sea of life are
devastating and fearful. Its intensity is felt more harshly when it strikes on
a dark night. It is a time when our expertise fails to find a way out.
Precautions are impracticable because it strikes at unexpected time and
unpredictable intensity. Jesus taught His disciples to trust Him on several
such situations. They had with them expert sailors like Peter, Andrew, John and
James, but their experience failed to save them from fear and peril. It was the
fourth watch of the night, around 3 a.m. and there was no one else to help.
There was no light and no radar for them to proceed. They were afraid and lost
hope. But little did they realize that Jesus walking towards them with words of
comfort and strength. He who holds the oceans in the palm of His hands has no
difficulty to step on waves just has he would walk on firm ground. He demonstrated
to the fearful disciples that He was in control of all elements at all times. He
showed them that His presence was with them even when He was physically
invisible. He also showed them how He would come to them when their faith was
weak and they were filled with fear of their dark and cloudy situations. The
same Jesus is with us when we go through devastating storms, mighty winds and strong
waves in the stark and dark realities of life and situations. Even when our
human intelligence tells us that there is no hope, He comes to tell us to be
courageous and put our full hope in Him.
Dear friend, perhaps you are
going through dark and cloudy days in your life. It is possible that you are
looking at the mighty winds and the waves around you which seem to engulf you,
wipe you away from the face of this earth and drain away your courage and
strength. Perhaps you are battered by your fearful situations and taking away
your peace and rest? But today Jesus wants to reassure you that His presence
will not depart from you in all circumstances. He is with you, though invisible
to your naked eyes. His mighty power is encompassing around you. If you take
your eyes off your situations and the threats you encounter, you will be able
to see Him by faith. His promise of protection and provisions are with you all
the time as He has promised. In the midst of mighty wind, powerful waves and darkest
night with no one to help, Jesus will certainly be there with you in your
current situation. He wants to tell you that there is no need for you to be
afraid and lose courage. He knows what you are going through and has made
enough provisions for you to be kept secure in His hands. His mighty arms of
care and protection are around you. He will not allow your circumstances to harm
you. Pretty soon the wind will stop and there will be calm. There is no reason
to doubt His faithfulness to see you through the current difficulties. There is
no scope for doubt and confusion when you are looked after by Jesus. He never
brings doubts or confusion into your heart, but joy and peace. When you
exercise faith in God, your fear will disappear. You are challenged to look
unto Jesus and be courageous today. Trust Him to take you forward by His hands.
Even if it is the fourth watch, Jesus will come to rescue and restore you and take
you forward.
Matthew 14:25 - And in the
fourth watch of the night He came to them walking on the sea.
Thought for Today
The wind of circumstances will
not penetrate our hearts when we dwell under the shadow of the Almighty.
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord Jesus: Help me to see
Your invisible presence in all my battering, dark and cloudy situations. Amen!
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