Take Heart
Matthew 14:27 But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be
afraid.”
THE disciples thought a ghost was walking on the water
toward them on their wind rustled boat. “Who is this? What is this?” Fear held
them fast, focused on the specter. What would happen?
Then the Lord,
sovereign over the wind, the waves, the water and the gravity he had created
said, “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.” Other versions say, “Be of good
cheer!” And “Take courage!” Yes, the sovereign Lord spoke and immediately he
took control of his disciples’ hearts. Cheer replaced fear. “Who are you?” was
replaced with, “Yes, Lord, it’s you!”
You’ve been there,
haven’t you? Fear filled your heart to focus your eyes on the storms when the
doctor said, “It’s cancer.” Storms swept through your soul when your son went
off to war. You looked for Jesus that day your daughter rebelled and walked out
of the house. You looked for him when you stuffed one more overdue bill in the
drawer.
Then Jesus came.
He was the pastor who prayed with you to help you face the chemo. Jesus walked
to you when a stranger stopped at your door to say, “I’m praying for your son.”
You heard Jesus declare, “Take heart. It is I.” when your daughter called to
say, “I want to come home.” And he came that day, too, when you got the
unexpected check in the mail. Remember that one? It was the refund on your
taxes that matched the amount of your overdue bills.
Jesus really does
show up. When we see life as God’s gift, we will take heart amid the stormy
days to see God deliver himself to his own.
LIFE Link: Be of good cheer. Jesus is here.
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