Mark 6:47 – 52
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Christian courage does not come from within us. Our courage comes from God and who He is. This is made exceptionally clear in the above passage. Upon seeing the disciples, Jesus exclaims “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” This statement is profound. A more literal translation would be, “Take courage! I AM. Don’t be afraid.” This statement not only identifies him to the disciples as Jesus, but also echoed the Old Testament revelation of God (Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM…”). Rather than telling the disciples to “take courage” because the wind will die down soon, or to “take courage” because they had seen miracles before, or even to “take courage” because they knew who he was, Jesus tells them to “take courage” because He is God!
Time and time again in the scripture we see God telling believers to take courage in him. For instance,
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:24)
No matter the circumstance in our lives let us take courage not in our own strength, but in the power and sovereignty of God alone. That truly is a courage that will never fail.
Joel Bulow – Creek Road
