DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 18 January 2025: Be Not Afraid
Text: Matthew 14:22-36 (KJV)
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying*, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
KEY VERSE: Matthew 14:27
“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”
According to W.H. Griffith Thomas, faith rests on God, receives from God, responds to God, relies on God, rejoices in God, and reproduces His life and character. There are no better times to see God’s greatness than when His people have challenges. As in the passage today, He never comes late. He is the very present help in days of trouble. Troubles herald divine intervention. The supernatural and extraordinary happen when men are at their wits’ end.
Today’s passage presents unique faith-lifting and exciting episodes. In the short fifteen verses, we see Christ’s command to His disciples to cross to the other side of the sea. We also see His tarrying after dismissing the multitude to pray as well as the commotion on the high sea and the timely intervention of Christ, whom the disciples assumed superstitiously was a spirit, walking on the sea. They were, however, comforted when the Lord assured them it was He. Finally, we see the adoring worship of Christ by all the ship occupants.
Peter stepped onto and walked on the sea at the command of Christ but began to sink when he removed his gaze from the Lord, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. He allowed fear to replace faith when he saw the turbulence on the sea, and defeat followed. Faith does not act by feelings or sight but leans on and lives by the word of God. What matters to a man of faith is what the Scriptures say. When, as believers, we shift our gaze from the Lord, we sink in despair, frustration, and confusion. The greater One lives in us, and there is no need to fear the devil, his cohorts, sicknesses, storms, or waves.
While we are not immune from trials and challenges, we have the assurance of triumph through righteousness and faith in God and His Word: “…whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). If we walk by faith, our fears will disappear and we can smile through the storms of life.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When you feed your faith with God’s word, you starve your fears to death.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 5-7
Daily Manna 18 January 2025
Comments 1