Connections between scripture and my life

Mark 6:48 tells the first part of a story most of us are familiar with. Matthew 14:26-31 continues and finishes that story. 

Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Three important points stick out here. Jesus saw his disciples toiling in rowing. He came to them. He came in the fourth watch. 

The fourth watch is the last watch before dawn. It comes after everything else that might happen at night. 

I worship a God that sees me toiling as Jesus saw His disciples. I worship a God who comes in the fourth watch. Through three watches I may feel abandoned, but He sends peace and relief in the fourth watch. 

I worship a God who sends relief at the end of a long, dark night of struggle–a God who loves me. He will come when His time time has passed. He will invite me, as Peter, to join Him on the waves before He enters my boat. 

It is ok if I doubt, as did Peter, after I step onto the water outside of my boat with nothing under me: Christ will save and support me, but I should not be afraid to step out of the boat. 

The winds and the waters may be boisterous, my boat may be tossed, water may be entering it, water may be sinking it. But I cannot be so engaged in bailing out the water that I do not see Jesus coming to me, walking on water, in the fourth watch, waiting for me to see Him, so He can tell me to “be of good cheer” and bring safety, peace, and salvation in my times of great trials.