Context of the Passage* Jesus fed the 5,000 with a small amount of fish and loaves, a miracle of great magnitude. + The disciples were then instructed to get into a boat and go to the other side. + Jesus constrained them, meaning he told them very clearly to go. + Jesus dismissed the multitudes and went to the mountain to pray. + Later in the night, Jesus walked on the water towards the disciples. + It was the fourth watch, the darkest period before dawn.

The Last Watch* The last watch is the three-hour period in the last 12 hours of darkness, just before sunrise. + It’s often the coldest and darkest time. * The people of God are under attack, and the enemy is trying to hinder them. + It is important to learn from the faithful men in the Bible who followed God’s instructions.

Lesson 1: Trouble is Universal* Everyone faces trouble, fights, and unexpected hardships. + The disciples were doing what the Lord had told them to do, yet they faced a contrary wind. * If you are in the will of God and your heart is right with Him, you can have peace even when the winds are blowing. + There is a wind for the sinner, the unrepentant, and the rebellious, which should lead them to repentance. * The wind isn’t always chastening; sometimes it’s meant to grow you. + Being right with God allows you to discern the purpose of the wind. * When the wind blows, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in sin. + It’s important to search yourself and ask if there’s something in your life that shouldn’t be there. * The wind can strengthen other people of God, like how it stretches a tree’s bark, allowing it to grow. * There is value in living in the will of God, especially when the wind starts blowing. + Being right with God allows you to remove sin from the equation and focus on staying the course. * Just because God tells you to do something doesn’t mean there won’t be a wind or contrary forces.

Lesson 2: Keep Rowing* The ship was in the midst of the sea, tossed by waves, with a contrary wind. * God uses different things to bring people to a place where they trust Him and grow. * The disciples were toiling and rowing, doing their best to get to the other side. * Even when you can’t see the light of day and the wind feels like it’s pushing you backwards, keep going. + Don’t give up rowing; keep doing what you know to do. * It’s darkest before the sun begins to shine, but if you’re faithful to God, He will send the light. * Even when it feels like you’re spinning your wheels and not making progress, stay right with God. + Give it all you’ve got and don’t give up. * The devil wants you to quit, but you need God in your wheel. * The disciples were in the will of God, doing what Jesus told them to do. * When the wind blows and you don’t know what to do, just keep rowing. * They had started out right with the Lord and were still in obedience to Him in a troublesome spot. * When it gets tough, don’t stop rowing; keep going. * Even if you don’t know if your steps are in vain, keep putting one foot in front of the other and trust Him. + God has never failed or abandoned those who trust in Him.

Lesson 3: Jesus is Close* In the last watch, when it seems like you’re hindered by everything, Jesus is close. * Even though they couldn’t see Him, they got a glimpse of Him walking on the water. * When they saw Him, they didn’t recognize Him and thought He was a spirit, crying out in fear. * Jesus called out to them, saying, “Be not afraid; it is I.” * In the last darkest hour, when you feel like quitting, that’s when Jesus is closest. * Even when it doesn’t feel like He’s near, He has never left nor forsaken you. * Whether the wind is blowing or not, Jesus is near. * When they needed Him the most, that’s when He was the nearest. * They had done all they could do and were still trying when they saw the spirit coming across the water. * Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid; it is I.”

Additional Insights* Jesus isn’t bothered by the wind like we are. * He wasn’t hindered by the fact that He didn’t have a boat. * Nothing can hinder the Lord from getting to your boat, not the storm, waves, wind, or absence of another boat. * He will always be there when you need Him. * Jesus can hear you in the wind; it doesn’t distract Him or keep Him from hearing your whisper. * He said, “Be of good cheer; it is I.” * When you’ve done all you can do and your strength is gone, His voice will speak to you. * He’s fixing to say, “Be of good cheer; I’m fixing to calm this for you.” * Whether you go to Him or He comes to you, the result is the same: He gets in your boat, and everything gets well. * Be glad to be saved and thank God for a shepherd who will never leave or forsake you.