DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

In my journeys to Israel, one of the most delightful times for me is to sit at twilight on the shores of Galilee. The tranquility is like a dream. You’re almost intoxicated by beauty as the sun sets over the Sea of Galilee. The Golan Heights across the sea from Tiberius turn a rosy color. You can hear birds nesting in the trees. I believe the Sea of Galilee is one of the most beautiful bodies of water on earth. The old rabbis used to say that God created all the other seas, then He created Galilee just for Himself.

It had been a wonderful day after the feeding of the 5,000. The disciples were full of success and self-confidence when they climbed into their boat that evening. Then it happened. The wind began to rise. Clouds darkened the moon. An angry wind beat the sea with its fists, and the water rose up, striking the disciples in the face. Galilee, quiet as a millpond, now had become dangerous. Seasoned sailors, filled with fear, then saw Jesus, walking on the water, saying, “Don’t be afraid.” In another gospel it records Him saying, “Be of good cheer. It is I.”

ACTION POINT:

Are you in a storm? You say, “No, Pastor, I’m not.” Well, I’m glad for you. Enjoy this season. We’re fools if we don’t enjoy the good times of life. But just wait a while. Sooner or later, you’re going to find yourself in a storm. It may be that God has engineered your storm; if not, He has certainly allowed it, because our God is over everything. The first thing you can say when difficulty comes is that God’s providence is over it all. You can say, “I am governed by His providence.”