‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Let’s take a moment to think about how the disciples got in the middle of this storm in the first place. They got in the boat with Jesus. They made the choice to retreat with Jesus. In this life we are not promised peace and comfort, however, we are promised to never be alone. Even in the times when we step out of the boat to walk on water, Jesus is with us. Even when we fall out of the boat into worldly things, Jesus is with us. Even when we choose not to depend on Him, Jesus is with us.

We have all been called to follow Jesus and get into the boat. Isaiah tells us we have been summoned by name. I would like to think if it was an audible voice I would hear my Heavenly Father say, “my daughter, Julie.” We may not always understand the storms we are called to walk through. We can trust that God created us for such a time as this. This trust includes our actions and reactions. When God created us, He knew what we would be dealing with today. This includes the current state of our church and the world we live in.

Recently at our church’s Vacation Bible School, we learned that we can trust God to always go with us. Think about how often we don’t want to go places alone. That day in the boat, the disciples weren’t alone. Jesus was with them. Who did they turn to when they got scared? They turned to Jesus. 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for summoning me by name. I desire to get in the boat with You. Help me to take time to retreat with you. I desire to be dependent on You throughout my day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

What does it mean to be a Water Walker? It means fully rely on God, to lean not on our own understanding but to trust God with all of our heart. 

I am reminded of the F.R.O.G. acronym: 

Fully

Rely

On

God

Do you like frogs? Do you have a fear of frogs? How about the little green tree frogs? The ones that jump at you, catching you off guard, potentially causing you to either hurt yourself, say a few choice words or both. In reality, the frog is just trying to get out of your way. 

Are you allowing your own understanding to get in the way of relying on God? What we see is a slimy frog. What God sees is a valuable creature. To rely fully on God, we must ask His spirit to lead us. Let’s use the lyrics from the song, “Oceans” by Hillsong United to close us in prayer.

Holy Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger. In Your presence, my Savior, Amen.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬-‭41‬ ‭MSG — Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked. “Wind and sea at his beck and call!‬‬

The Message version of this passage is titled “The Wind Ran Out of Breath.” It all happened because Jesus came to His disciples’ rescue. They were dependent on Jesus to save them and calm their fears. According to Merriam-Webster, dependent means to rely on another for support. This definition reminds me of church. Recently at our church, we had Youth Sunday. Our youth shared what the church means to them. They used words like family, faith, strength, happiness, community, refuge, peace, support, love, fellowship, prayer, altar, and reverence. What does church mean to you? 

Church for me is a time to come to God’s house, be reminded of my awe of God and worship Him with my family and friends. Mark tells us the disciples were in absolute awe of Jesus. They still managed to let worry overtake them. Interestingly, to be in awe can be a reverence mixed with fear and wonder. Take a moment to think about your awe of God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, I am in awe of You. I come to You today with reverence. I lay down my fears to You! I pray for my fellow church members, and all those who do not know You. Use me today to show them Your wonder. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬-‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬-‭41‬ ‭MSG — Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked. “Wind and sea at his beck and call!‬‬”

Take some time today to worship!

Oceans by Hillsong United

Goodness of God by Bethel Music

Sufficient For Today by Maverick City, TRIBL, featuring Maryanne J. George.

Pause: Isaiah 40:31 MSG — But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

Seek: Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Listen: Romans 10:17 MSG — The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. 

Join us on our YouTube channel as we reflect on 2024.

Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Join us for See You Saturday as we wrap up the week on the topic of tomorrow.