Day #91 - The Water Walker

The Presence - A Devotional for Living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭25‬, ‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash

What is the most impossible thing you have ever attempted?

Have you ever tried to walk on water? I think I tried it once at the ocean or maybe twice. I’ve heard of children jumping off the roof and believing they could fly like Superman. I’ve also heard a story about a boy that told his sister she could fly like Mary Poppins if she simply held an umbrella and jumped off of the roof.

Jesus does the impossible. Jesus is the water walker.

His all night in prayer was followed in Matthew 14, by Him going to the lake to discover the disciples were stuck in a storm. They were a considerable distance from land and they had experienced fisherman among them, yet they were greatly afraid in this storm. Jesus walked upon the very water that terrified them.

The disciples thought Jesus was a ghost, but when He said “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid,” Peter recognized his Lord. He was full of faith in that moment and asked Jesus to invite him on the water. Jesus invites Peter and Peter starts to walk on the water. Once Peter’s eyes get on the storm however, Peter begins to sink and Jesus rescues him.

The presence of Jesus was both terrifying and comforting to the disciples. At first they were terrified because they didn’t recognize who He was. But then when they realized it was Him and He returned to the boat with Peter, they found comfort as the storm calmed down.

“The Presence” is an opportunity to get our eyes off of the storms of life  and onto the One who has so much authority over storms that He can walk on them and calm them. This opportunity to be with Jesus often comes to us in the storms. You might be trapped in a storm, but look to the one who walks on the water and listen for his voice telling you to not be afraid.

An unknown author said, “The center of trouble is the place where He revives, not the place where He fails us.” The center of the storm is the place where His Presence meets us and delivers us from our fears. It is even the place where He invites us to walk with him on the impossible.

Lord Jesus, God Almighty, the one who walks on the water and calms storms, help me to keep my eyes upon you. I receive the courage that you impart and the peace that you bring. Thank you for Your Presence that draws near in the midst of trouble and storms. Thank You for the power of Your Presence in my life and that You invite me to walk on impossibilities with You. In your perfect name, Jesus Christ, amen!