August 29, 2024 Devo

“Don’t be afraid.” “Take courage. I am here!” What unbelievably powerful and comforting words. The disciples had been fighting the wind and waves for hours. No doubt they were exhausted—drained by their fear as much as by their physical labor. They had to be close to the breaking point. That’s when they saw Him. That’s when they heard Him. Jesus’ words were like a beacon in the night; a lifeboat of security to a crew who had no hope. They thought all was lost. Now they knew all was well.
Have you been there? Are you there right now? We all fight storms from time to time. Often they are the pop-up-quickly and go-away-just-as-quickly kind of storms. They take our breath away for a moment, but then they pass. But once in a while we get those storms that are more than just a passing moment of trouble. They are the lingering downpours of sorrow. They are the times of grief or stress that come in wave after wave after wave. They are the times in our lives when it seems as though the pain will never stop, the fear will never cease, and the night will never end. But it only SEEMS that way.
Take a moment and take a deep breath. Clear your mind and your heart for a moment of all that has consumed you. Read these words of Jesus and let His Spirit speak them to YOU. “Don’t be afraid.” “Take courage. I am here!” You are not alone. You are not forgotten. This storm will not consume or defeat you. If Jesus is Lord of your life, then He is Lord over your storm. Remember who He is. He is walking on your storm. Turn your eyes from your troubles and focus on Him. Let your fear turn to faith. Let your worry turn to worship. Jesus is near. Jesus is HERE. And He will deliver you. Put the full weight of your tired soul upon Him. Let Him hold you. Let Him carry you. What you CAN’T do, He CAN do. He who set you out on this journey will see you to the other side. Say these words again. “Don’t be afraid.” “Take courage. I am here!” And when Jesus is here, all is well. That’s God’s Word for you today.