‘Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.’ Matthew 14:22-33(NLT)
‘Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!#6:50 Or The ‘I Am’ is here; Greek reads I am. See Exod 3:14.” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, ‘ Mark 6:47-51(NLT)
‘“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord . “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be. I, yes I, am the Lord , and there is no other Savior. First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God,” says the Lord . “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.”’ Isaiah 43:10-13(NLT)
So far, we’ve delved into fear and have talked about ways to conquer it. But for many of us, we need more Scripture to comfort and guide, more words of hope, more words of peace. I totally understand that.
I titled this devotional Take Courage because they are famous words from Jesus when He roamed the earth. When the disciples were scared to death and feared for their lives, Jesus comforted and exhorted them to, “Take courage.” Remember when the disciples were on the sea in the middle of the storm? They ended the night seeing Jesus walking on water.
Af first the disciples were afraid, but the presence of Jesus calmed their fears. Like the disciples, you may have lost sight of Jesus, but He hasn’t lost sight of you—and He is ready to rescue. One study Bible commentary notes, “To recognize Christ’s presence is the antidote for fear.” Wow! That is a simple, but deep concept.
My ESV Study Bible notes that Jesus’ words to the disciples, “Take courage. It is I,” were a throwback to Moses and his burning bush experience. In Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” The same God in the form of Jesus years later and now in present times, says, “Take Courage. It is I. (I am who I am) – Do not be afraid.”
Whatever fears you struggle with, whatever mountains or obstacles you face, Jesus looks at you with love and says, “Take courage. It is I.” What does it mean that God is the Great I Am? It means that whatever you face, whatever you fear or need, God is the calm to that fear, the answer to that need.
Do you need love? God says, “I am love.” Do you need peace? God says, “I am peace.” Do you need forgiveness? God says, “I am The Way to be right with the Father.” He is all you need. Don’t be afraid. Trust and believe in the God who has never taken His eyes off you. Meditate on this today.
from Take Courage by Greg Alkinson