Our Daily Bread 17 August 2018 Devotional
Topic: Jesus Reached Out
Read: Matthew 14:22–33 Bible in a Year: Psalms 97–99; Romans 16
Scripture: Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Matthew 14:31
Message: Sometimes life gets busy—classes are hard, work is exhausting, the bathroom needs to be cleaned, and a coffee date is on the day’s schedule. It gets to the point where I force myself to read the Bible for a few minutes a day and tell myself I’ll spend more time with God next week. But it doesn’t take long before I’m distracted, drowning in the day’s tasks, and forget to ask God for help of any kind.
When Peter was walking on water toward Jesus, he quickly became distracted by the wind and waves. Like me, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29–30). But as soon as Peter cried out, “immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (vv. 30–31).
Our Daily Bread 17 August 2018 Devotional – Jesus Reached Out
I often feel as if I have to make it up to God after being so busy and distracted that I lose sight of Him. But that’s not how God works. As soon as we turn to Him for help, Jesus reaches out without hesitation.
When we’re unsettled by the chaos of life, it’s easy to forget that God is standing in the middle of the storm with us. Jesus asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?” (v. 31). No matter what we’re going through, He is there. He is here. Next to us at that moment, in this moment, ready to reach out and rescue us.
Prayer: Lord, help me to turn to You in the midst of my busyness and life’s distractions. Thank You for always being here, ready to catch me.
Thought for the Day: God is waiting for us to turn to Him so He can reach out and help.
READ ALSO: Our Daily Bread 16 August 2018 Devotional
Our Daily Bread 17 August 2018 Devotional was written by Julie Schwab (Our Daily Bread Ministries)