Daily Word Of God
Matthew 14:22-23a, 25-31
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he sent the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
In the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea, and when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It’s me! Don’t be afraid.’
It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ Jesus said, ‘Come.’ Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but then noticing the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord,’ he cried, ‘save me!’
Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘You have so little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Fear is one of the greatest and common obstacles to deepening our faith in God.
- Are we like Peter who instinctively plunges into the water and then loses focus on Jesus and begins to allow his fear to overpower him?
- What are the discouragements and fears in your life that is preventing you from deepening your relationship with the Lord? Trust and believe that the Lord’s caring ways will always be there to prevent us from “drowning” in our life’s fears and discouragements.