Help is there

​August 6, 2020
Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 14:28-32, “Peter answered him (Jesus), “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”
 
Peter asks Jesus to command him to come to Him; Jesus tells him to come to him. The storm is bad, the winds are howling, and the waves are dangerous. He lets Peter deal with it. But when Peter starts sinking and cries out for help, Jesus grabs him immediately. Jesus knows Peter is way pat what he can do on his own, so Jesus grabs hold of him, bringing him to safety.
 
I think that is the way Jesus deals with us in the turmoils of life. Most of the time, God lets us deal with the stress in our lives using the resources He has given us—prayer, good friends, proper nutrition and sleep, Holy Communion, and so forth. But there are some times when we are ready to break, and God knows that. He stretches out his hand and helps us in a more direct way than we are used to. Because our Lord is utterly faithful and loving, we can cry out to him in confidence, putting all our hope and trust in him.
 
Please pray with me the prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, creator and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, you know the stress in my life. You know how I too often depend on my own strength and wisdom rather than yours.  Forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Please help me to be who you want me to be in this life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.