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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise When Jesus got into the boat, his disciples worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!” (Matt 14:33). I say ‘Amen!’ and I worship your Son Jesus as my Savior and Lord. He is the Mighty God and the Prince of Peace. All glory and honor be to the Lamb of God, who speaks peace into my heart today! Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the feeding of the five thousand and how Jesus walked on water. Jesus and his disciples were so busy they didn’t have time to eat (Mark 6:31). When they tried to get away for a rest, the crowds figured out where they were going and got there ahead of them! Instead of being angry or frustrated, Jesus had compassion on them. He began to teach and heal the sick. This teaches me that ministry requires a sacrificial giving of myself to others. There will be times when I must put my own needs and desires on hold in order to help those you send my way. When evening came, the disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away so the people could find food in nearby towns. To their astonishment, Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat” (Matt 14:16). As they stood there in consternation and confusion, Jesus asked Philip, who was from nearby Bethsaida, “Where are we to buy bread so that these may eat?” Jesus knew what he was going to do, but he asked the question in order to test Philip and the other disciples. I think he was hoping they would say, “Master, we can’t feed all these people. We don’t have the money or the resources. But we do have you, and we know that with you all things are possible. Tell us what you want us to do, and we’ll do it.” (Lord, give me such faith!) Instead, the disciples focused on what they didn’t have, and they missed the fact that the Creator of the universe was standing right in front of them. This shows me how easy it is to forget that I have you. In you is all the grace and power and strength I need to be victorious. Jesus fed the crowds, but when they tried to make him king by force, he sent them away, and then he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Later, as the disciples toiled against the wind, Jesus came to them walking on the water. Peter learned a lesson that night about faith, and it’s one that I would do well to learn myself. I must keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith (Heb 12:2). If I don’t look away from everything else to him, I will end up staring at the wind and waves, and it won’t be long before I’m sinking into a sea of doubt and despair. Father, help me keep my eyes fixed on Jesus! Reflection Mark said, “They did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened” (Mark 6:52). His point was that the disciples shouldn't have been amazed to see Jesus walking on the water after he had just fed the multitudes. Am I hard of heart? Do I continue to be surprised at your provision, even though you have shown yourself faithful, time and time again? Request Father, strengthen my faith! Help me to draw the right conclusions from my faith in your Son and guide me in applying those truths to my life. I want to understand—I don’t want to be hard of heart! Thanksgiving Thank you for stretching out your hand to save me every time I start to sink. How glad I am that you are kind and forgiving, always ready to take hold of me and help me back into the boat! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Be Not Afraid” — Barney E. Warren. Meditation Verse: Mark 6:50. |