Some nights don’t end when the alarm goes off. You get up, but part of you is still out on the water, tired from rowing against something you can’t quite name. The worry you went to sleep with is the same one waiting for you at breakfast.
Matthew tells us about a night like that. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent His disciples ahead across the Sea of Galilee and went up the mountain alone to pray. By the time darkness fell, their boat was “in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary” (Matthew 14:24). They rowed for hours and got nowhere.
Then, just before dawn:
“In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.” (Matthew 14:25)
The darkest hour, and then Him
The fourth watch ran from about three in the morning until sunrise. It’s the hour when strength runs thinnest and fears grow loudest. That is exactly when Jesus came.
He hadn’t forgotten them. He came to them over the very waves that were wearing them down.
At first they didn’t recognize Him. “It’s a ghost!” they cried. We do the same thing sometimes, mistaking His approach for one more thing to fear.
“It is I”
Matthew says Jesus spoke “immediately.” He didn’t leave them guessing:
“Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)
Notice what He didn’t say. He didn’t say, “The wind is about to stop,” or, “Here’s how you’ll get to shore.” He gave them Himself. It is I. That was the answer to their fear before anything about the storm changed.
Maybe that’s the word you need before your day begins. Not a forecast, just a presence. Whatever is waiting for you today, the One walking toward you through it is Jesus.
“Come!”
Then Peter did something only Peter would do. “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” And Jesus answered with a single word: “Come!” (Matthew 14:28–29).
Peter climbed over the side and walked on the water toward Jesus.
You may have a step in front of you this morning that feels like stepping out of a boat. It might be a conversation you’ve been avoiding, a decision, or starting again after a failure. Jesus doesn’t ask you to master the waves first. He just says come, and He’s the one you’re walking toward.
“Lord, save me!”
Then Peter “saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30).
I’m grateful Matthew kept this part. Peter’s faith was real, and so was his fear. He took his eyes off Jesus and started to go under, and his prayer shrank to three desperate words.
Those words were enough.
“Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him” (Matthew 14:31).
There’s that word again: immediately. Jesus didn’t wait for Peter to recover his courage or say a better prayer. He caught him first and talked about doubt afterward, with Peter safe in His grip. Then they climbed into the boat together, and “the wind ceased” (Matthew 14:32).
If you start to sink today, and most of us do at some point, you don’t need to swim back to faith on your own. Cry out. His hand is closer than the water.
Here’s a prayer to begin your Wednesday:
Lord Jesus, You came to Your disciples in the fourth watch, when they were worn out and afraid. Come to me this morning too. Let me hear You say, “It is I!” Give me courage to step out when You call, and when I look at the wind and start to sink, catch me quickly. Keep my eyes on You all day.
The night may still be fading as you read this. That’s all right. Jesus is already walking toward you across the water, and the sun is coming up behind Him.