Daily Devotions
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Immediately He [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side … and … He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22a, 23b-33)
I wonder what was going on in Peter’s head. I mean, there’s not much logic in what he said: “If it’s You, command me to come to You on the water.” How would that command prove it was Jesus? How would it prove anything, really?
In the end, the whole story proved one thing—that Peter’s faith wasn’t strong enough to keep him going. He needed Jesus to fish him out of the lake.
But there’s another time when Peter jumped out of a boat to come to Jesus, and that was after Jesus rose from the dead. You’ll remember the story in John 21—how Jesus stood on the shore in the dawn light, while the disciples were in a boat not too far out. Jesus called to them to cast their nets out on the right side, and immediately they caught so many fish they couldn’t haul them in. And John said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
And once again, Peter jumped out of the boat and made his way as fast as he could to Jesus.
But now things are different. Peter isn’t trying to do miracles. He just wants to get to Jesus as fast as he can! So he swims to Jesus in all his clothes. And he pays the price later when he has to sit around in soggy underwear.
Peter doesn’t care—and why? Because he’s sitting with Jesus, the One who fished him out of his own grief and shame after Peter denied and abandoned Jesus during His trial and execution. Jesus has forgiven him, most likely during that private meeting they had on Easter morning (see Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5). And now Peter is a man in love. He can’t bear to be away from Jesus for even five minutes, even to stay dry. His heart is set on Jesus, and nothing else matters.
WE PRAY: Lord, I want to love You this way. Please give me a heart like this. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- When you love someone with all your heart, how do you act?
- Which is more important in Jesus’ eyes—the ability to do miracles, or love?
- What has Jesus done for you in your own life? Share if you are willing.
Today's Readings:
Psalms 130-1321 Corinthians 1
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