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Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid." Mark 6:48'50 WEB.

Peter, James, John, and the other disciples were struggling to row against the wind in their fishing boat. It was a dark night, and the wind and waves beat against their small craft. They had entered the boat to cross the sea of Galilee as Jesus had told them, but now they were faced with a relentless, opposing wind.

God's path for them was on the other shore, which took them right through the storm. Jesus wasn't with them, for He had remained behind on the mountain to pray. The disciples felt they were facing this storm alone, but in the darkest, coldest part of the night, Jesus came to them by walking across the water. Then He said, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid!"

At the pinnacle of their struggle, Jesus appeared and calmed the storm, but they did not understand, for their hearts were hardened. The hardness of the heart is a lack of spiritual perception, that lack of "readiness to learn" that followed the Pharisees and Scribes. Jesus couldn't teach them anything because they were too busy trying to correct His error and bring Him back in line with their teachings.

The disciples suffered from some of this (Mark 6:52), just as we all do in various areas. We all need to stay teachable, stay flexible, for we serve the Almighty Living God who is infinitely intelligent. We have more to learn about God than an ant setting out to build a space station.

Have you ever gone through a season where you wake up each night at 3 A.M.? I certainly have. The fourth watch of the night is 3 A.M. to 6 A.M. This is when Jesus came to them. Jacob wrestled with God during the fourth watch (Genesis 32:24). I remember an entire week when I woke up at 3:33 A.M. each morning. Around this time, your mind has finally slowed down, your body is resting, and the Lord may attempt to speak to you.

So if things are dark and the winds of life are blowing, don't be surprised if you wake up around this time. If you do, try praying and listening for a moment. Many times after this, I will have a dream, a vision, a song, or an impression come to me that is meaningful. If you have a problem with God speaking to someone today, please remember that Jesus told us, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please teach me to recognize Your voice. Please speak to me clearly so that I can understand and guide me today. Lord, please calm the storms in my life. A single word from You makes everything OK. Fill me with Your peace and presence, and grow stronger and stronger in my life. In Your name, I pray. Amen!

Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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