Verse of the Day 9/30

Matthew 14:23 Amplified Bible (AMP)  ²³And after He had dismissed the multitudes, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was still there alone.

We've seen over the past two days how Jesus took time to pray to the Father before dawn and after daybreak.  In today's verse Jesus does the same thing at the end of a long day, a day when He fed the five thousand.

 

We may feel overwhelmed at times by our responsibilities.  It seems like people are pulling at us from all directions.  So many things to do, work, family, perhaps ministry or public service, and not enough time to do them all.  Imagine what it must have been like for Jesus, yet He still found the time to pray, to communicate with the Father.

 

With our limited knowledge and understanding of all that is going on around us, how much more should we depend upon His leading in our lives.?

 

Jesus withdrew to the mountain while the disciples were sent on ahead to cross the sea.  Many commentators feel that he could see the disciples from the hillside as they struggled to row to the other side against of the sea the "contrary" winds.  Jesus would come down from the mountain and meet them on the sea to bring them safely to the other side.  What contrary winds are you facing that kept you up, tossing and turning in the night?  May the Lord come to you, calm your fears and bring you to where you need to be today.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Matthew 14:22-27

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²²Then He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent away the crowds.

    ²³And after He had dismissed the multitudes, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was still there alone.

    ²⁴But the boat was by this time out on the sea, many furlongs [a furlong is one-eighth of a mile] distant from the land, beaten and tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them.

    ²⁵And in the fourth watch [between 3:00--6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.

    ²⁶And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright.

    ²⁷But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!