Is God calling you to take a leap of faith with something right now? Or maybe you are in one of those dark nights of the soul. Well, I’m here to tell you that He is right there. He is real and He is with you… for sure! Let’s start off in Matthew chapter 14 and I’ll show you more.
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Transcription:
Maybe right now, God is calling you to take a leap of faith and you’re going, God, is it you? Or maybe you are in one of those dark nights of the soul. Even Mother Theresa experienced one of those, and you’re saying, God, are you really there? Well, I’m telling you right now, he is right there. He is real and he is with you. One of the names of God is Emmanuel, which means God is with us.
Hi, I’m so glad you’re hanging out today on the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica and I want you to know that whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, Jesus can walk into them. He can do anything. So, join me now in Matthew’s gospel chapter 14. I want you to picture the scene. Over 5,000 people have just eaten a meal together. A meal that Jesus whipped up with only five loaves of bread and two fish and a prayer of thanks to the Father. That was his recipe. Just take in for a minute the awe that they must have been experiencing as the bread and fish were passed from person to person. So we’re going to pick up the story in verse 22 of Matthew 14. Here we go.
As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted
Jesus did.
that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
So Jesus feeds thousands of people and he makes the time for his father. He is our example, isn’t he? I mean, if Jesus, the Son of God needed time with the Father, how much more do we just need to get alone with God and feel restored? It’s like Psalm 23 talks about he restores our soul and he does that in his presence. When we welcome him in, like we’re doing right now, as we study his word, he restores us. So, even at this moment, your soul is being restored. God’s word is being poured into your heart and you are receiving it. Okay? Verse 24 now.
Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared to death. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. 27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Okay, right there. Isn’t that so beautiful? I want to mention that we’re reading The Message version of the Bible today, and I love this verse 27.
Jesus was quick to comfort them.
Our God is so powerful and yet he longs to comfort us. In Isaiah chapter 51, I believe it’s verse 12, I’ll put it in the show notes, says,
I even, I am he who comforts you.
Soak that up for a second. Maybe you’ve sung the song. What a beautiful name in church. What a beautiful name, what a powerful name. What a sweet God we have who sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, after Jesus returned to heaven. And before the Holy Spirit came, here we see Jesus comforting his closest friends. You know that every day the Comforter is available to you. Imagine yourself at night wrapping up in your most comfy comforter. The Holy Spirit wants to come around you, put his loving arms around you and comfort you through whatever you’re going through today. He is with you. The Lord is saying, courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Verse 28 now,
Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” 29-30 He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat,
Notice “jumping” out of the boat.
Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” 31 Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” 32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
So just in case they were still wondering after he fed thousands of people on the shore, there was now no doubt with the disciples. They had just seen their Savior walk on water and they knew what it meant. They knew that this was God’s son sitting in the boat with them. I don’t know where you are right now. I don’t know if you’re driving in the car or you’re washing dishes in the kitchen or you’re on a walk. I don’t know where you are right now, but Jesus knows and he is with you, and he wants you to know that he is God’s Son for sure. He came to this world because he loved us so much. John three 16 says,
For God so loved you,
You can insert your name in there.
that he gave his one and only son, that whoever would believe in him might not perish, but inherit eternal life.
He came and introduced himself. He showed us that he wants to comfort us, that he wants to encourage us and love us. He showed us that throughout his life on this earth, and then especially through his death on the cross. When he was on the cross, you were on his mind. Yeah, you’re that loved. And then he rose again defeating death, hell, and the grave. Jesus Christ was and is God’s Son. For sure. You can know for sure. He wants to walk into the circumstances of your life right now, even if it seems inconceivable that he could enter the pit that you’re in right now. He can walk on water, he can go wherever you are. He can comfort you in the midst of whatever storm is battering the boat of your life. He is with you. His Holy Spirit is in you, praise God. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you. And I don’t know what verse that is either, but I will put that in the show notes as well. You can know for sure that Jesus is God’s Son and that you are his child. It’s all true. You are really loved.
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