It is I

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  – Matthew 14.27

The disciples in the boast were in a panic. Not only were they in the midst of a vicious and violent storm, but now they saw a ghost walking in the water toward them.

Now they were really terrified and Jesus knew it. It called out them with amazing reassuring words – ‘be of good cheer, it is I, don’t be afraid.

The great truth for is that even though we may not see Him walking on the water we have the same assurance that we can be of good cheer, so that we can trust that He is there, and we can have confidence that we need not be afraid.’

Jesus could have ignored them. He had taught them about faith and they just would not cop on.

But no, His first words were words of comfort. Cheer up. It’s Me. Don’t be afraid.

In the midst of our storms we can have that same comfort. We have Bible which reminds over and over again that Jesus promises to be with us no matter where we are and no matter what we face. ‘I am with you always’ He said at the end of His earthly ministry. Fear is never of God – it is always from our weak flesh or from the devil.

We need not fear, but be of good cheer, in the storms.