Day 36 - Faith to Take the Next Step

Posted by Mary Manning

Matthew 14:25-33 (NLT) 
    About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. [26] When the disciples saw him, they screamed in terror, thinking he was a ghost. [27] But Jesus spoke to them at once. “It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.”
    [28] Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water.”
    [29] “All right, come,” Jesus said.
    So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. [30] But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
    [31] Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. “You don’t have much faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” [32] And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
    [33] Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

“It’s all right, I’m here! Don’t be afraid.”  Why can’t we as Christians remember those words when we are called to act on faith?  Too often we question, “Why?”  Too often we have too many excuses as to why it wouldn’t be best for us to take that next step.  Unfortunately, the answer or the real reason for our shyness is a lack of faith.  The example is there in the Gospel for us.  All we have to do is faithfully believe, and God will lead us.  He knows what’s ahead of us, He knows the next step.  All we have to do is place our faith in Him.

PRAYER:  Dear God, thank you for your Word.  Thank you for the examples you’ve given to us and thank you most of all for your unconditional love.  Please forgive us when we fail to be faithful followers.  Thank you most of all for your Son Jesus and the love you showed us through His death on the cross.  It’s in His name I pray, Amen.

POINT TO PONDER:  Do I have the faith to take the next step?