Bible reading; Genesis 46-48; Matthew 14:22-36
Memory verse: “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” Psalm 34:17 (KJV)
Crying out to God is an act of desperation and believe in God. It shows one is fully focused and concentrated on God in time of need. It is an expression of faith in God and His power to help. God likes it because it shows our humility and dependency on Him. If we can solve the situation on our own there will be no need to call on Him. But we call on Him in humility to help us in time of need.
Today’s memory verse made it clear that it is the righteous that cry, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” Psalm 34:17 (KJV). This is an act of surrender of self. Whoever can admit his personal helplessness and cry before God is a candidate for His mercy. A proud person will not cry to God. This was the situation with Peter in today’s bible reading when he saw Jesus walking on water and asked Jesus to bid him ‘come’.
After Jesus told the disciples not to be afraid for it is Him Jesus walking on water, Peter showed boldness and courage to ask Jesus to bid him come. Peter got down from the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus! The laws of nature could only be relaxed at God’s command. Remember the red sea, how God parted the sea through Moses. How God kept the sun beyond its time through Joshua. And now, at the word of Jesus Peter is walking on water! These were only possible because the men involved kept their eyes and focus on God.
But Peter lost concentration, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30 (KJV). Peter was sinking in front of his master who didn’t react until he cried for help only then we were told, “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, o thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matthew 14:31 (KJV)
It doesn’t matter how you got into that situation just cry out to God. There was the case of a good king, Jehoshaphat who went into alliance with an evil king, Ahab. When they went into battle against another nation at the instance of the evil king, the good king was almost being closed up by the enemies while in battle when he cried, and God came to his rescue despite him partnering with an evil king (1 Kings 22:29-33).
Cry out to God today on that issue in the name of Jesus Christ who commanded us to ask for anything from His Father in His name.
Prayer: Father, give me a heart that always look up to You first in any issue however big or small that I may give glory unto Your name in Jesus name.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu