Isaiah 43:1-4 “But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place,
Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve
redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your
head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not
go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead
end— Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel,
your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich
Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the
whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. “
So, my yesterday
started off pretty good. I coordinate the Mom's in Prayer program at my son's
school and yesterday was our first session. Our study and
prayer time focused on the truth “God has a purpose”. He has a plan for our
children, our families, our school, our city, our country, the world, etc. It was an amazing time of prayer. left feeling uplifted and excited about what God is going to do this school
year.
After that, the rest
of the day seemed to go "downhill" – rather quickly I might add.
Somehow, I lost focus and was distracted by the "stuff" of my day.
Believe me, I had some pretty tough stuff to deal with yesterday but nothing
that should have shaken me as much as it did if I would have kept my focus on
Christ. Instead of talking to Jesus and laying everything down at his
feet, I clenched my fists in a tight ball and held onto everything. Of course
this made everything 10 times worse (why do I do this...I know better). I was one hot, stressed-out mess by the
end of the day. Rightfully so, I didn't ask Christ to help me through anything.
It's like I said "I can handle this one...I don't need help." Who in
the world was I kidding?
This morning is a completely different story. I was preparing to start
my quiet time, but before I got into what I had planned on doing, the Lord prompted
me to go to Isaiah 43:1-4 - in the Message paraphrase. The first four verses
reminded me that the Lord is there even when I'm in over my head. When I face
rough waters, I won’t go down because he is with me.
This thought led me to one of my favorite Bible stories of all time…Peter
walking on water. This story is found in Matthew 14:21 – 34. Jesus had sent the
disciples across the lake ahead of him. While they were on the water, the wind
and waves started to batter the boat they were in. Through the wind and waves,
they saw someone walking on the water. Initially they thought it was a ghost…but
it was Jesus. He announced himself “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
(NCV)
“Lord if it’s you, tell me to come and I’ll come.” Peter waited for an
answer. “Come.” That was all Peter needed to hear. He swung his leg and took
his first step on water toward Jesus. I wish I could tell you Peter never took
his eyes off Jesus…but that’s not how the story finishes. Something diverted
Peter's attention. Was it a little wind and rain? Peter walked closely with
Jesus and had witnessed the healing and miracles Jesus performed first-hand yet
he was still distracted by the circumstances surrounding him. Peter began to
sink. "Lord, save me!" Peter cried out. Immediately Jesus reached out
his hand and saved him.
Jesus was there all along…even in the middle of our “distractions.” All
we have to do is “call out” to him and he will save us. Yesterday I should have
realized this truth a dozen or more times. Praise God for 2nd
chances! Today, if I find myself in over my head...all I have to do is yell for help and Jesus will be there to save me....just like he saved Peter.
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