Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today, our encouragement is to anchor our faith in Jesus to weather every storm.

Today’s scripture, Matthew 14:28‭-‬31 (ERV), shares…
Peter said, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come, Peter.” Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, “Lord, save me!” Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. He said, “Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?”

Consider…
Today’s encouragement was inspired by a song, which I came across while looking for yesterday’s song. Kirk Franklin’s lyrics say…

I’ve gone through the fire
And I’ve been through the flood
I’ve been broken into pieces
Seen lightnin’ flashin’ from above
But through it all I remember
That He loves me
And He cares
And He’ll never put more on me
Than I can bear

Initially I thought 1 Corinthians 10:13 would be my focal scripture, but the Holy Spirit pointed out today’s encouragement is about being saved from distress, not overcoming temptation. Then He directed me to our anchor scripture above.

This familiar scripture of Peter walking on water highlights some parallels to what we experience in the storms of our lives. More importantly it shows us how Jesus responds.

First, we all can acknowledge that we go through storms in our lives. I’ve heard preachers say that we are either in the middle of a storm, coming out of a storm or heading into a storm. Inevitably, suffering will happen to us, it’s unexpected and beyond our control.

I also have read Jesus’ words of encouragement in John 16:33 (NLT)…
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

The inescapable reality is that we will all go through storms in this life.

Next for those of us who know Jesus, we will initially step towards Him in faith in the beginning of our storms. Although He may not be in clear focus, we will walk by faith to His voice and not by the sight of our eyes. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

You know, when we…

• Speak life over the initial cancer diagnosis.
• Bind Satan from our soul sucking situations.
• Declare Jehovah Jireh provision for our financial stresses.
• Cite God’s promises continuously
• Pray feverently and earnestly

…Indeed, many of us come out the gate spiritually swinging in the initial stages of distress. Like Peter, we boldly walk on water towards Jesus at the onset of our storms.

However, also like Peter, when we realize the storm is real and the winds and the waves are raging stronger, our faith begins to falter and we start to sink in despair.

This is a good moment to remind you that God knows our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak. That’s what Jesus told Peter in the garden of Gethsemane. He said…
Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” – Matthew 26:41 AMP

Jesus knew the coming storms could overwhelm us and cause us to abandon our faith. So He told His disciples, and us, to stay vigilant in prayer before the storm to help strengthen our faith to guide us through the storm anchored in Him.

The Holy Spirit just gave me another acronym for faith. It’s being…

• Firmly
• Anchored
• In
• Trusting
• Him

This acronym makes me realize Jesus is telling us to put our anchor down in Him before the storm to be safe and secure in the midst of it.

This brings us, to the next parallel to Peter’s storm experience and ours, which is Jesus’ response to our faltering faith. Look at what today’s scripture says…
Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand.

This is precious to me, the fact that Jesus saved him before He spoke to him. Peter cried for help and rather than lecture him on having faith, Jesus simply saved him. You see Jesus knew Peter’s spirit was willing to believe, but physical limitations were too much to overcome. He knew Peter’s faith wasn’t strong enough to weather this particular storm. We know that to be the case because after Jesus grabbed Peter…
He said, “Your faith is small.

This is what the Holy Spirit was showing me when I listened to Kirk Franklin’s song ‘More Than I Can Bear’. The Holy Spirit was saying that when we’re drowning in distress and despair, Jesus will reach down and grab us because He knows our faith is too small.

The Holy Spirit clarified that the reason Jesus knows about the challenges we face with our faith is because He became one of us. Hebrews 4:14‭-‬16 (NLT) explains…
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Jesus responds to faltering faith with mercy (compassion) and grace (unmerited favor) when we need it most.

It’s a blessing to know that…
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:13 NASB1995

So no matter how much you’re sinking in the depths of despair, remember you won’t drown because Jesus is standing right there to grab you.

Anchor your faith in knowing that Jesus is in the midst of your storm and He won’t let you drown.

Today’s song is…
My Soul Is Anchored

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)