August 9, 2026
Do you like going for a swim? If you like water and can swim, then I am sure you do! But what if you don’t or you are a bad swimmer? Then, like the girl in our picture, you can wear a life vest. Notice the smile on her face? It doesn’t matter whether you can swim or not; if you wear a vest, it will stop you from sinking to the bottom! Even if the water is deep, you can’t sink if you are wearing a life vest. It keeps you safe, and you can cool down in a pool or at the beach on holidays on a hot day!
In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 14, we read about Peter walking on water with Jesus. It was late at night when Peter saw Jesus coming toward his boat, walking on the water! Peter wanted to be sure it was really Jesus, so he said, “If it’s really you, Lord, tell me to come and walk on the water with You.” Jesus said, “Come on in, Peter.” Peter bravely jumped out of the boat and started walking on water with Jesus! Imagine that! But soon, Peter looked at the big waves. He felt the wind blowing really hard, and he got scared! Peter started to sink. He was going under the water when he cried out, “Jesus, save me!” Know what happened? Jesus reached down to Peter and saved him. He even stopped the wind and waves and put Peter safely into the boat. Then Jesus said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Peter had Jesus right beside him. Jesus had all the power to keep him safe. You could say that Jesus was Peter’s life vest! Without this vest, Peter certainly would have drowned.
Jesus wants us all to remember that as long as we stay with Him, we’re safe, even when things get scary. He died on the cross to take away our sin so we could be with Him forever. Because He wanted us with Him that much, we know He’ll always protect us. So we look to Him instead of the things we’re afraid of. We do that by reading His promises in the Bible and by praying to Him. And when we trust Jesus to keep us safe, He’ll hold us up like a life vest and help us do amazing things for Him.
Dear Jesus, always keep me safe in this scary world. When I feel like I am sinking in my sins and doubts, lift me up and keep me close to You! Amen.