Devotional for Thursday June 2, 2022
How many times have you seen yourself walking on the waters of a trial, looking around the impetuous waves that want to knock you down and sink you between the snap of the foam; feeling that your steps are firm and that nothing can bring you down. The ocean churns and the sunset makes its entrance. A slight darkness will want to penetrate your senses and cloud your faith, but you remain standing. You manage to take giant steps because your sight is not set on the storm that lurks before you, but on your beloved Savior, the one who tells you: “Fear not, for I am with you;…” Isaiah 41:10
Take my hand, and the waters will not stop your walk towards your eternal sheepfold that awaits you”, you come out victorious because He sustains you.
But what happens when adversities and trials take you to the rough sea, when your fears want to cloud your faith, when anguish hits your self-esteem and unhealed imperfections come to the surface, when pain squeezes your chest and your crying floods the freshness of your face? There I surrender to You, Lord! Like Peter on the Sea of Galilee, I walk towards You, and I can walk on the sea.
Posted by Roberto Guerra
Translated by Nelson Baires
Morning: Isaiah 43:1-5
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west
Noon Psalm 68:1-10
1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
Evening Matthew 14:22-33
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
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?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Prayer Guide: [Ecuador-Quito] and [Cuba-Jamal]
This month's challenge is: Think before you judge or act.
Ask yourself at all times: how would I want to be treated if I were in that condition? Always remember Jesus' advice: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged: condemn not, and you will not be condemned: forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Luke 6:36,37
