TAKE HEART

Matthew 14:30

“Lord, save me!”

I always know He is there for me. In times of troubles, I know that He is beside me, sharing in my suffering and despair. In joy and happiness, He is laughing with me. And yet, I still would take my eyes out of Him, and commit sins that would make His heart bleed in anguish. There is always this moment of both weakness and strength. I experience miracle happening and yet I still doubt Him and myself. I doubt, but I also want to believe. I experience fear, but I still step out of a perfectly good boat into the storm with Him. I want to walk with Him forever for I know He can calm all the storms in my life. If I could only fix my eyes in Him – yes I know I could, I know I could.

Peter, after experiencing two miracles – the feeding of 5,000 and Jesus walking in water – still asked for more so he would believe that it is really Jesus. Eventually, Peter as stepped out of the boat in order to walk with Jesus on the water. Step by step, being supported by a genuine and true faith, he was able to walk. But as soon as Peter allows the distractions of wind and waves to enter into his vision and thinking, then he begins to sink. Out of fear, he called on the Lord to save Him.

God, through Jesus, seeks to draw near to us and save us in our moment of need. As soon as we cried out, “Save me Lord!”, Jesus would immediately reach down to rescue us. We may not always understand why or how life can become so frightening or challenging, but we serve a God who is merciful and who loves us. Jesus is the promise of that love. Always remember these words from our Lord, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.”

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, let us go to serve and do all that you have instructed us to do. And give us your calm in the midst of the raging storms. For we pray these things in your name.

Amen +

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.