Jesus Reached Out

So another week has come to an end YES! It's FRIDAY! as we begin to reflect on this past week we had to over come some adversity weather it was starting college classes, work or whatever the case may be we ALL were in our emotions so take the time to FORGIVE yourself and reflect n these words of wisdom to guide you into ALL TRUTH with Read: Matthew 14:22–33 Bible in a Year: Psalms 97–99; Romans 16 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.—Matthew 14:31 Sometimes life gets busy—classes are hard, work is exhausting, the bathroom needs to be cleaned, and a coffee date is on the day’s schedule. It gets to the point where I force myself to read the Bible for a few minutes a day and tell myself I’ll spend more time with God next week. But it doesn’t take long before I’m distracted, drowning in the day’s tasks, and forget to ask God for help of any kind. When Peter was walking on water toward Jesus, he quickly became distracted by the wind and waves. Like me, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30). But as soon as Peter cried out, “immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (vv. 30-31). I often feel as if I have to make it up to God after being so busy and distracted that I lose sight of Him. But that’s not how God works. As soon as we turn to Him for help, Jesus reaches out without hesitation. When we’re unsettled by the chaos of life, it’s easy to forget that God is standing in the middle of the storm with us. Jesus asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?” (v. 31). No matter what we’re going through, He is there. He is here. Next to us at that moment, in this moment, ready to reach out and rescue us. —Julie Schwab Lord, help me to turn to You in the midst of my busyness and life’s distractions. Thank You for always being here, ready to catch me. God is waiting for us to turn to Him so He can reach out and help. INSIGHT: The fear-filled disciples who saw Jesus walking on the lake cried out, “It’s a ghost!” (Matthew 14:26). But then they worshipfully acknowledged, “Truly you are the Son of God” (v. 33). In between the collective voices of the disciples, we hear the voices of Jesus and Peter. Following the words of Jesus in verse 27, Peter spoke, “Lord, if it’s you . . . tell me to come to you on the water” (v. 28). At first glance it’s easy to interpret Peter’s “if” as implying uncertainty. An alternate rendering of the word if is since. Given Peter’s actions, it seems to me that this translation makes sense. When Jesus is the one directing us, doubt can yield to confidence. Arthur Jackson