Take Courage!

Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT)
 
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
 
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
 
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
 
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
 
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
 
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
 
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
 
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
 
 
Reflection
 
During my second Navy deployment out to sea, our ship sailed through an intense thunderstorm. We were warned that we were sailing through 40-foot waves (that’s about four stories high) and that we should stay away from the hangar bay doors of the main deck. I was standing near the hangar doors watching the terrifying waves as our captain issued the warning. The water was black as oil, and I remember thinking, “Man, if I fall overboard, it’s game over!” I made like a banana and split, far below deck where it was safe.

Peter was a bit more dauntless when he faced his stormy adventure in Matthew 14. The Bible says that he and the disciples were terrified when they saw what looked like a ghost walking on the water towards them. But once he recognized it was Jesus, Peter boldly stepped out. As soon as he shifted his focus to the storm, however, he became afraid again.
 
We all know that fear is a part of being human, but sometimes it can hurt us if we don’t focus on what is important and put the thing causing fear into perspective. I think most people have heard the story of David and Goliath, but David also had several run-ins with the Philistines. Later, in his mid-twenties, David fled Jerusalem to escape King Saul’s jealousy and was captured by the Philistines near Gath, about 35 miles west of Jerusalem.
 
Imagine David’s fear! Just a few years earlier, he had killed the Philistines’ champion (Goliath) in front of their entire army! After he was seized by the enemy, David penned the words, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4 ESV).
 
God knows that we will experience fear and His response to Peter still rings true for us today: “Take courage! I am here!” (verse 27). The phrase “take courage,” in the Greek is tharseó (thar-seh'-o) and translates to, “[B]olstered within which supports unflinching courage – literally, to radiate warm confidence.”[1]

  Just like David, who could not see God but knew that God was with him, we too should rely on the confident knowledge that God is always with us and we have nothing to fear.

Action Steps

1. When was the last time you were genuinely afraid? How did you respond? Did you refocus your attention on God, or did you run to something else to try and regain a sense of security?
2. Is there something in your life right now that keeps you in constant fear? Take courage! He is always with you. Try making yourself a reminder (in your phone, on a Post-it note, etc.) to refocus your attention on God when you know you will be exposed to something that triggers fear. 

 
 
 Prayer

My strong and powerful Father, You know that I do not always respond to fear the way that I should. Oftentimes, I find myself running to a false sense of security, and it makes the situation worse. I know that You have not given me a spirit of fear but of love and power, and when I turn to You in my fear, I am encouraged and strengthened. Help me to continuously turn to You every day and in every situation. It’s in Your perfect name I pray, amen.
 
   [1] “Strong’s Greek: 2293. Θαρσέω (Tharseó) -- to Be of Good Courage,” n.d. https://biblehub.com/greek/2293.htm.