October 26
Scripture of the day: "Seeing them straining at the oars ... at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea ... But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He ... said to them, 'Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.' Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened." Mark 6:48-52
Thought of the day: Jesus fed the five thousand by multiplying five loaves and two fish. The disciples saw the miracle ... and collected twelve baskets of leftover food. When evening came, He sent the disciples across the sea. Later that night, He walked on the sea intending to pass them. They were terrified when they saw Him ... and astonished by His power over the sea and the storm. They were astonished because they "had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves".
Challenge of the day: God should astonish us. We should be in awe of His infinite power and being. However, we can be astonished in the wrong way ... in a way that comes from faithless forgetfulness. God performed a miracle in saving you. Have you gained any insight from that great miracle? He has answered your prayers ... and done more than you have asked or thought. Have you learned from what He has done for you? Be astonished by what He has done. But don't be astonished that He can do those things. When He calms the storm in your night, faithfully remember the miracles of the day before. God has not changed ... He can still calm the storm.
THIS DAILY BYTE OF THE WORD, COPYRIGHT 2014, WAS PRINTED LEGALLY FROM WWW.EBREAD.ORG. YOU MAY COPY IT, UNCHANGED, BUT ONLY WITH THIS SOURCE AND COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ATTACHED ... AND ONLY FOR FREE OR AT-COST DISTRIBUTION. BIBLE QUOTATIONS ARE FROM THE NEW AMERICAN STANDARD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.