Matthew 14: 22-33 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 14: 22-33 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Verse 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, Verse 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. Verse 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. Verse 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. Verse 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Verse 28Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Verse 29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. Verse 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Verse 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Verse 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Verse 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Devotion
“In case of emergency, this seat may be used as a flotation device.” Have you ever sat on an airplane and read that warning? It’s the kind of notice that you hope to never have to put to the test. But how nice would it be to have that sort of reassurance in any circumstance: “In case of emergency, you will be saved.”
I suspect Jesus had a sense of the storm to come when he shoved the disciples off in the boat from the shore of Galilee, He could feel it in His bones. When the winds came up and the disciples cried out for help, Jesus was there to save them. Like the reminder God gave Elijah, He may not be in the wind, but He is Lord of all creation and reminds us that He is in control of the storms in our lives. In case of emergency, Jesus will save you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, spare us from life’s storms and give us peace to know you’re in control. Amen.