God’s promise for Week 1:
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us" (Eph 3:20 MSG).
Day Four
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb 12:1-3 NIV)
Since we’re on the topic of wind and water anyway, let’s revisit the familiar story in Matthew 14 of Jesus walking on the water. There is no more powerful example of what it means to “fix our eyes on Jesus" than when Peter stepped out of that boat and began walking toward Jesus. As a child, this is how I pictured the scene: the sun’s warm rays reflecting on the glassy smooth sea, the warm breeze gently blowing, while a bird or two chirped in the distance. Of course, this isn’t remotely what it was like that day. First of all, it was the dead of night. Secondly, the warm breeze was actually a ferocious storm, and if the birds were chirping, no one could hear them over the howling wind. And the disciples were afraid. Does the setting of this story remind you of your own life? Are the waves high and the wind strong? Are you afraid? Your marriage is in trouble and you don’t know what to do. Your kids aren’t serving the Lord despite your attempts to teach them what’s right. Your health is failing and you’re not sure you can handle the pain anymore. Your finances are a mess and bills are due again. Or maybe it is the constant discouragement of feeling like you’ll never be the kind of Christian you think you should be. Many times we feel the waves and hear the howling wind as the problems of this life surround us. So let’s go back to that dark night on the stormy sea and learn from it. When Jesus saw the disciples’ fear He said, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid." That’s what He’s still saying. In the midst of the uncertainties and difficulties and discouragement of life, He says to us: “Take courage—Don’t be afraid." So the ever-eager Peter, bless his heart, left the safety of solid wood under his feet and began to walk toward Jesus. I can guess what his next thought must have been: “Good grief what have I done?! I’m out here trying to walk on water—what was I thinking?" And we know what happened next: "When he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (Matt 14:30, 31). Peter didn’t hesitate in getting out of that boat, but immediately he looked away from Jesus to the raging waves and the howling wind and his fear took hold of him and he began to sink. So where are you right now? Are you cowering in the boat, afraid to step out onto the water because you’re not sure if God will help you? Or are you out on the water, sinking lower every minute because your eyes are on the difficulties instead of on Jesus? Or are you up to your neck and frantically swimming against the waves because you think you can do it on your own? Wherever you are, the answer is simple. Do like Peter did. Cry out, "Lord, save me!" and He will “reach out His hand to catch you."
Prayer:
“I believe! Help me with my doubts." (Mark 9:24 MSG)
In Faith:
Pray for your “hopeless cases" and remember that God can do anything!
