Friday, March 6, 2026

 Opening Scripture

“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Opening Prayer

Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, the King of the universe, who gives rest to your children and the promise of a new day. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 6:16-24

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

Reflection  

After a dinner on the grounds of biblical proportions, Jesus dismissed the crowd and sent the disciples home in the boat. Mark tells us that, as evening came, Jesus went up the mountainside alone to pray.

A stiff westerly headwind blew in, and the water got rough. After many hours of rowing, the disciples were still in the middle of the huge lake, only three or four miles from where they started. It was dark and stormy. They were exhausted and discouraged, and a challenging situation was about to get really strange!

Around four o’clock in the morning, as the disciples strained at the oars, they saw a figure coming toward them, walking on the water. Terrified, they assumed it was a ghost (since no human could do that).

Jesus called out to them, “It’s me!” – literally, “I AM!” He then climbed into the boat, and they immediately arrived at their destination. Once more, this amazing miracle was for the benefit of Jesus’ disciples. When asked later how He had traveled from one side of the lake to the other, He chose not to answer.

The next day, the crowd who had been fed on the eastern shore realized that the disciples and Jesus were gone. The people had seen the disciples leave in the boat, but they assumed Jesus was still in the area. Now, they discovered He had left, too, somehow. So, the party moved to Capernaum.

Flourishing Habit

Mental and Physical Health

To have participated with Jesus in the miraculous food distribution was no doubt a satisfying experience for the disciples. But the “high” of that successful ministry endeavor was quickly followed by the “low” of a challenging turn of events.

The disciples had followed Jesus’ instruction and done what He told them to. They got into the boat and headed for home, but a storm blew up to complicate things, and their very best effort was insufficient. These men, who had grown up on the water, were struggling mightily.

When things seemed hopeless, Jesus mysteriously and miraculously came to their aid and, in a moment, accomplished what their hours of strenuous effort could not. The disciples continued to be amazed and terrified by the Son of God. Is there anything He can’t (or won’t) do?

Sometimes, when we act as we’re “supposed” to, things seem to fall apart. We do what’s right, and disaster breaks out. We can feel betrayed by the injustice of it all. It’s as if no good deed goes unpunished, and our very best effort feels insufficient.

It’s important to remember in those moments that God knows and God cares. A frustrating and unexpected turn of events can provide the perfect opportunity for God to do what only He can do. In our fear and disappointment, He is able to simply say, “I AM!”

As much as we don’t like it, being at the end of our rope is the perfect time for God to show up and accomplish His will. We don’t choose weakness or inadequacy, but it can be a blessing in disguise.

The Apostle Paul understood this. After praying fervently for the Lord to “fix” a troubling affliction, God shared a profound life principle with Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Are you facing a challenging situation? Have your best efforts seemed inadequate? Are you at a loss as to what to do next?

Trust God. Ask Jesus to be with you in the storm, calming your anxious thoughts and soothing your troubled mind. Ask Him to accomplish His will in the situation so that He might receive the glory.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!