The I Am on the Water
OPENING PRAYER:
God, You are bigger than anything I am facing. Help me see You clearly. Amen.
As Jesus approached the boat in the dark, walking on the water, the disciples did not recognize Him. Their fear was answered with one of the most powerful statements in the Gospels.
“When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”
Matthew 14:26-27 (NIV); see also Exodus 3:14
REFLECT:
When Jesus said, “It is I,” He was saying far more than, “Relax, guys, it’s just me.” As Pastor Todd explained, in the original language Jesus literally said, “I am.” That is the name God gave Moses at the burning bush. In that moment, the God of Moses, the God who parted the Red Sea, was standing on the water right in front of them.
Think about that. The very thing the disciples were afraid of, the water they thought might swallow them, was under His feet. Jesus was not overwhelmed by the storm. He was on top of it.
The same is true for you. Whatever you are most afraid of, whatever feels out of control, whatever obstacle seems too big to overcome, Jesus is standing on top of it. He is worthy of your trust because He is the God of the universe. That does not mean the waves disappear right away. It means the One who rules the waves is walking toward you, saying, “Take courage. Don’t be afraid.”
APPLY:
Write down the one thing you are most afraid of right now. Then write underneath it: “Jesus, You are the I Am, and You are standing on top of this.” Pray that sentence each time the fear returns this week.
I WILL STATEMENT:
“I will trust Jesus to take a step out of the boat.”
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus, You are the great I Am. You are above every fear, every diagnosis, every uncertainty, and every storm. Help me take courage because You are here. In Your name, amen.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Share your prayer request and pray for others.