Scripture

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here.”

Observation

Immediately after the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sends the disciples to go across the lake to Bethsaida. He goes up into the hills to pray.

Later that night, the disciples are in the middle of the lake, struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus walks on the water towards the boat. The disciples are terrified thinking He is a ghost.

Jesus tells them, to take ciyrage and not be afraid. He climbs into the boat, and the wind stops blowing.

Jesus and the disciples Land at Gennesaret. Crowds of people gather around Him, bringing sick people. Wherever He goes, Jesus heals all who are sick.

Application

The disciples were afraid, firstly, of the storm but also because they thought Jesus was a ghost coming to destroy them.

Jesus’ first words to them are words of comfort and encouragement. “Don’t be afraid! Take courage! I am here!”

Fear is closely related to faith, except that fear trusts that something bad will happen. Fear is a kind of negative faith that says, “God will not save us.”

There is a type of evil spirit that thrives on and generates fear in a person. It will cause us to be anxious and lock us up in phobias.

“Take courage” means that we take a big breath and face up to the chaos. We take a hold of faith and declare, “My God is greater than the storm.”

We can do all this because we know that Christ is with us. We are never alone because Jesus is at our right hand.

Listen.

Lord, how, can I learn from this experience to face up to the storms that may come my way?

Keith, you can be sure that storms will come your way. The enemy is always looking for ways to sink you and to destroy your faith.

Know this: I am with you always. I will never leave you or forsake you. When the storm is at its most ferocious, here I am with you.

Trust me. Rest In Me. Do not let fear or stress gain a foothold.