Scripture text for Tuesday, March 30th, 2010: Matthew 14:22-36
Full Text Online | Listen Online
Most days I can barely keep my head above water. As laundry, dishes, social commitments and work responsibilities pile up, the sensation of drowning increases. How can I be a godly wife, mother, daughter, friend, employee and neighbor when I can’t even remember to eat lunch? Yet, here I read that Jesus (and Peter) not only kept their heads above water, but their whole bodies!! How?
The quick – and accurate – answer is FAITH (vs. 31). But I am drawn to the verses earlier in the chapter that discuss all the stresses Jesus had experienced in the same day. Jesus learned that John the Baptist had been beheaded and instead of getting to grieve for his cousin, he is followed by a crowd of at least 5,000 people. Matthew says, “He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (vs. 14) and then provides them with a plentiful supper out of 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. His experiences of the day should have left him physically exhausted, spiritually drained and emotionally grieved. How then could he walk on water? How can I walk on water?
I think verse 23 has my answer. Jesus “went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” He found a place, free of distractions, where he could talk to His Father. What better way to get faith strong enough to walk on water than to spend time with God?
After all, as we learned at the very beginning of our E100 reading, God made the water He helps us walk on (Genesis 1:9,10).
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12,13
Devotion prepared by Brenda Fassnacht