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Faith is … Trusting God to Hold Us Securely in His Outstretched Hand
In the Word
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:29b–31).
Of the Word
It was dangerous that day on the Sea of Galilee when Peter walked on the water to Jesus. The waves and the stormy weather inspired fear, and the sea under him was deep.
When Peter began to look at himself, he took his eyes off of Jesus. When faith looks at itself it is no longer faith. Faith fixes our gaze on Jesus and trusts Him to save us with His outstretched hand. We all need the strong hand of Jesus to hold us up. It has crushed the devil’s power and broken the chains of death. Jesus has the power over the devil and death, so we can confidently entrust ourselves to His hand.
We need His hand always. It is the only true hope we have. The day is coming when we will need it most of all – the day when we must pass through the dark shadow of death.
When the waves of the river of death wash over us and we, in terror, begin to sink, Jesus has promised to stand. He will reach out His hand, and hold us securely.
Walking with my Lord
“Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.” In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in Faith. Author: Rev. Darold Reiner. 20/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
“Abide with Me! Fast Falls the Eventide” words by Henry F. Lyte, music by William H. Monk –Public Domain.
