JANUARY 31, Matthew 14:22-31 

It is a frightening thing to be caught in a stormy sea. Many of us will not know what it is like, but if you were in a ship or boat in the midst of a big storm, you would agree that it is not a fun thing at all! In today’s reading, we know that the disciples were caught in such a situation. When they saw Jesus, they were initially frightened as they thought they had seen a ghost! When Jesus comforted and assured them, they were settled. Then Peter wanted to walk on water and Jesus gave him the power to do so. However, what happened soon after?

Look at verse 30 again. When Peter saw that the winds and waves were boisterous – meaning they were powerful and noisy – he began to sink. And as he began to sink, he got even more frightened! It was good that he then did the right thing – calling out to Jesus for help.

All of us will continue to have problems in life. You are now in Primary School, and you will have to face exams, perhaps other problems at home as well. As you grow older, more problems will come. As Christians, how are we to respond? God does not promise we will have no troubles or problems. So what do we do? Look at Jesus, and not at our troubles or problems. Had Peter focused on Jesus, and not on the waves and howling winds, he might have been able to continue walking on water. What a fantastic feat to be able to walk on water! Although Peter was initially able to do it with God’s help, he failed later when he took his focus off Jesus.

In a way, it is the same for us. With God’s help, we can do a lot. We may be able to do our daily Quiet Time and be faithful to God; we may be able to trust God despite difficulties, but if we lose our focus on God and the Bible and instead, focus on our problems and difficulties, they will seem too big for us.

Thought: Look to Jesus!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me never to forget to turn my eyes upon Jesus and to remember He is my source of strength. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.