John 6:20
"It is I, do not be afraid."
Leaving the Sea of Galilee, the disciples rowed toward Capernaum. As the night grew dark the seas rose all about, threatening to overturn their boat into the raging waters.
Just as they were losing hope, feeling as if this was the end, they saw someone walking on the sea.
"Who is coming toward our boat?"
"Is it a ghost, an illusion?"
"How can they be walking on the water?"
"It is I, do not be afraid."
Did they hear right?
Was that Jesus?
Could it really be Him?
As I read this portion of Scripture I thought about the fears, apprehensions, and circumstances in my life that keep me awake at night, causing doubt and worry to consume my every thought. Just as the disciples tossing all about the raging seas, I become afraid of what the future may hold. My thoughts become filled with "what if's" and I create problems in my mind that never come to pass. If I would only listen with a heart toward Christ instead of allowing fear to consume me, I would hear Him say as He said to the disciples, "It is I, do not be afraid."
The Scriptures continue with the words,
"Then they willingly received Him into the boat."
__John 6:21
As I read these words I considered how willing I would be to receive Jesus if He came walking to me on the water. Too often when He tells me to not be afraid I try to reason with Him, explain to Him how He doesn't understand the many aspects of my situation, and how impossible it is that it could work out with any sense of success. As I contemplated my response, I knew it was time I learn from the disciples. Just as they didn't reason, but received Jesus, I need to do the same.
"Is anything too hard for God?" __Genesis 18:4
"Ah, LORD GOD! Behold You have made the heavens and
the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is
nothing too hard for You." __Jeremiah 32:17
"It is I, do not be afraid." __John 6:20
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