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Mark 6:49b-50 – They cried out, because they all saw [Jesus] and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (NIV)
There's a lot of fear and uncertainty in our world today. You can hardly pick up a newspaper or watch television news without hearing about terrorist bombs, gas attacks, and civilian deaths all over the globe. Those of us who were born in the twentieth century may have felt that the twenty-first century was going to be a wonderful time to be born and live, experience and know. Unfortunately, the brutality and inhumanity of man have been carried over into this new millennium. The clean sheet and new start that we were given in 2000 has been contaminated with cruelty and stained with sin. We are our own worst enemies: instead of shaping the future for the benefit of humanity, we mangle it with our hands.
In the midst of a life-threatening storm, the twelve disciples thought that they were all going to drown. They couldn't keep their boat afloat and the roiling waves kept battering against their vessel. They were in the midst of a hopeless situation, and even though they strained to row the oars, the wind was totally against them.
Then Jesus appeared, walking on the water. At first, they thought He was a ghost, a phantom, or even a demon come to torment them. But then, Christ spoke those beautiful words which instantly reassured them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." As He stepped onto the boat, the wind and waves died down, and everything was calm again.
In the midst of a baffling and brutal world, Christ's church and all of His people need to rely on His words and share them with the rest of humanity. Tensions may rise and storms of hatred may threaten our way of life, but Christ's Spirit still walks among us, so we as Christians, more than any other group in the world, should hold on to the hope that He offers humanity, and share His peace which can pacify the people of this planet. The beautiful boat that we are in is called Earth, and the One Who can save it is Jesus.
Point to ponder: When I worry about current events, what do I pray?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, come among us and bless us with Your peaceful presence. Diminish the wickedness that damages our planet, and help us to share Your hope in our own communities and around the world. In Your holy name, we humbly pray. Amen.
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Thank you
Right on John.
Great encouragement John.
Good news for today, thank you.
Wonderful devotional today. Just what I needed to hear.
John, thanks for this encouraging salvation message. Blessings.
Blessings John:
Thank you for your Heaven-sent message. Shalom.
Thanks John for the great reflection, should be on the front page news!
(CA)
SO very true and it gives us great opportunities to share our reasons for our peace with our friends and neighbours who may not know him.
Bless you.
John
Good message and your prayer is for us to lean upon and send out, believing that Jesus has it all in His hands!
God bless.
Well said John. It’s so easy to ‘worry’ and never get to prayer! It’s so much more comfortable to know who we are in Christ and live for Him – than to tell others the Good News and risk their scorn and rejection. We sure need REVIVAL on planet earth.
Dear John Stuart,
Thank you for a very much needed message.
My prayer:
“Dear God, please bless all of your people everywhere. Cause us all to read your word diligently and to stand for your Kingdom with all the power and might that you put within us.
May many people be bold to proclaim your truth and to live your love.”
Amen.
Very good — excellent!
Very well put especially the prayer.
Hi John,
There is indeed a lot of misery in the world today and we often wonder how and when is it all going to end.
I like your reference to the story of Jesus telling His disciples not to be afraid, but in all the things going on in the world today, from a human point of view at least it is a worrying trend in affairs these days
Thank you for writing.
Hey John, thanks for a well written devotional.
Yes we need to pray for our communities and our world and that God’s people will provide the answers to give people courage to go on seeking and serving.
(Ont.)
Amen John!
Thanks Brother John for that reassuring reflection. I have been blessed.
(Ghana)