Daily Devotion

Saturday, January 31, 2026  

Today's Scripture
John 6:16-27

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” (NRSV)

I have somehow never read this version of Jesus walking on water. Apparently, the only version I’ve ever read is the one in Matthew. None of the other Gospels includes the storyline about Peter walking on water. In Matthew, Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus until he becomes afraid of the wind and begins to sink, at which point he cries, “Lord, save me!” Jesus, of course, does save Peter, but then immediately asks, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I feel so much like Peter walking on the water right now. I believe enough to step out of the boat. I’m trying to keep my eyes on Jesus. I’m trying to keep walking forward. But some days I feel myself sinking. I feel myself sinking into helplessness and hopelessness watching lives battered, broken, and taken. Watching people try to justify truly evil actions and decisions. Watching people trying desperately to keep their families and their lives from completely collapsing. I feel like I have good reason to doubt.

I can also look back through history and back through my own life and find good reasons to believe that even when I don’t see it or feel it, God is always with me, Jesus will save me, and love will win.

Prayer

Lord, I need you to save me, not just from sin and death, but from the wind and waves that are knocking me down and pulling me under. In this moment, the world is too much to bear. Hope can seem naïve, and despair is beckoning. Strengthen my faith and rekindle the fire in me to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Amen.

Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email