Daily Worship (Dec 28)
Devotional 1: Light in the Fourth Watch
John 1:5 (NIV)
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Devotional Thought
The “fourth watch” is a moment that is still dark but close to morning. It is the hardest part of the night—the moment when fear feels strongest and hope feels weakest. John 1:5 tells us something powerful about that kind of moment: darkness cannot overcome the light of Jesus.
In Matthew 14, the disciples were stuck in darkness, fear, and exhaustion. The storm had been fighting against them all night. Even worse, Jesus was not in the boat with them. Darkness in Scripture often represents confusion, sin, fear, and doubt. That is exactly where the disciples were. But Jesus came anyway. He walked straight into the darkness, not around it. He did not wait for the storm to stop or the sun to rise. He came in the fourth watch.
John reminds us that Jesus is the Light. Darkness cannot defeat Him. Even when we cannot see clearly because of sin, fear, or pain, Jesus still sees us. The disciples mistook Jesus for a ghost because their fear shaped their vision. Many times, our fear does the same thing. We doubt God’s presence because our circumstances feel heavy.
The gospel reminds us that Jesus does not just shine light *at* us—He entered our darkness fully. On the cross, darkness covered the land, and Jesus took our sin, shame, and fear upon Himself. When He rose from the dead, He proved that darkness never wins.
When life feels like the fourth watch, hold on. Jesus is already walking toward you.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Light that darkness cannot defeat. When fear and doubt cloud our vision, help us trust that You are still near. Meet us in the middle of our storms and remind us that You never leave us. Amen.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Devotional Thought
The “fourth watch” is a moment that is still dark but close to morning. It is the hardest part of the night—the moment when fear feels strongest and hope feels weakest. John 1:5 tells us something powerful about that kind of moment: darkness cannot overcome the light of Jesus.
In Matthew 14, the disciples were stuck in darkness, fear, and exhaustion. The storm had been fighting against them all night. Even worse, Jesus was not in the boat with them. Darkness in Scripture often represents confusion, sin, fear, and doubt. That is exactly where the disciples were. But Jesus came anyway. He walked straight into the darkness, not around it. He did not wait for the storm to stop or the sun to rise. He came in the fourth watch.
John reminds us that Jesus is the Light. Darkness cannot defeat Him. Even when we cannot see clearly because of sin, fear, or pain, Jesus still sees us. The disciples mistook Jesus for a ghost because their fear shaped their vision. Many times, our fear does the same thing. We doubt God’s presence because our circumstances feel heavy.
The gospel reminds us that Jesus does not just shine light *at* us—He entered our darkness fully. On the cross, darkness covered the land, and Jesus took our sin, shame, and fear upon Himself. When He rose from the dead, He proved that darkness never wins.
When life feels like the fourth watch, hold on. Jesus is already walking toward you.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does John’s opening chapter help us understand who Jesus is before we see Him act in the Gospels?
- Observation: What words stand out in this verse about light and darkness?
- Meaning: What does it mean that the darkness “has not overcome” the light?
- Main Idea: Why does John want readers to trust Jesus as the true Light in dark moments?
- Application: What areas of darkness in your life need the light of Jesus right now?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Light that darkness cannot defeat. When fear and doubt cloud our vision, help us trust that You are still near. Meet us in the middle of our storms and remind us that You never leave us. Amen.
Devotional 2: Faith That Steps Out of the Boat
Hebrews 12:2a (NIV)
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Devotional Thought
Peter’s story on the water shows us something important about faith. Faith is not about how brave we feel—it is about where we fix our eyes. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus because He is both the beginning and the finisher of our faith.
Peter stepped out of the boat because Jesus called him. As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he did what was impossible. But the moment Peter focused on the wind and waves, fear took over. His faith weakened, and he began to sink. This shows us how faith works. Faith is not something we create on our own. Jesus gives it, grows it, and sustains it.
In the sermon, Pastor Joel explained that we all have a “boat”—something we trust to keep us safe. It might be success, control, relationships, or comfort. Boats feel secure, but they cannot save us. Only Jesus can. When Peter cried out, “Lord, save me,” Jesus immediately reached out His hand. Peter’s doubt did not stop Jesus’ mercy.
The gospel shows us that Jesus did more than reach out His hand—He gave His life. On the cross, He carried the full weight of our sin and fear. Through His resurrection, He proved His power is reliable and trustworthy.
When we take our eyes off Jesus, He never takes His eyes off us. Faith grows when we return our focus to Him, especially in the storm.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Jesus, help us fix our eyes on You. When fear and doubt rise, remind us that You are holding us. Thank You for saving us when we sink and for finishing the work You started in us. Amen.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Devotional Thought
Peter’s story on the water shows us something important about faith. Faith is not about how brave we feel—it is about where we fix our eyes. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus because He is both the beginning and the finisher of our faith.
Peter stepped out of the boat because Jesus called him. As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he did what was impossible. But the moment Peter focused on the wind and waves, fear took over. His faith weakened, and he began to sink. This shows us how faith works. Faith is not something we create on our own. Jesus gives it, grows it, and sustains it.
In the sermon, Pastor Joel explained that we all have a “boat”—something we trust to keep us safe. It might be success, control, relationships, or comfort. Boats feel secure, but they cannot save us. Only Jesus can. When Peter cried out, “Lord, save me,” Jesus immediately reached out His hand. Peter’s doubt did not stop Jesus’ mercy.
The gospel shows us that Jesus did more than reach out His hand—He gave His life. On the cross, He carried the full weight of our sin and fear. Through His resurrection, He proved His power is reliable and trustworthy.
When we take our eyes off Jesus, He never takes His eyes off us. Faith grows when we return our focus to Him, especially in the storm.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does Hebrews 12 connect faith to endurance and following Jesus?
- Observation: What does it mean that Jesus is both the “pioneer” and “perfecter” of faith?
- Meaning: Why is fixing our eyes on Jesus essential for faith?
- Main Idea: How does Jesus sustain faith when circumstances become overwhelming?
- Application: What distractions or fears are pulling your eyes away from Jesus today?
Prayer
Jesus, help us fix our eyes on You. When fear and doubt rise, remind us that You are holding us. Thank You for saving us when we sink and for finishing the work You started in us. Amen.
Devotional 3: Worship in the Middle of the Storm
Psalm 46:1–2 (NIV)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.”
Devotional Thought
When Jesus calmed the storm in Matthew 14, the disciples responded with worship. They did not worship Him only because the wind stopped. They worshiped Him because they realized who He truly is—the Son of God.
Psalm 46 reminds us that God is not distant in trouble. He is an “ever-present help.” That means He is always near, especially in the storm. In the sermon, Pastor Joel emphasized that Jesus is never on the sidelines. He is always in the middle of it all.
Worship is not just singing when life gets better. Worship is trusting who Jesus is even when life stays hard. The disciples declared Jesus as the Son of God while still in the boat that had just been battered by waves. They learned that His identity does not change with circumstances.
The gospel shows us the greatest reason Jesus deserves worship. He defeated sin and death through His resurrection. Even when storms remain, death no longer has the final word.
True worship grows when we trust Jesus not only for what He does, but for who He is. He is still worthy when the storm rages and when the night feels long.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
God, You are our refuge and strength. Help us worship You not only when storms stop, but while we are still in them. Thank You for being present and faithful. Amen.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.”
Devotional Thought
When Jesus calmed the storm in Matthew 14, the disciples responded with worship. They did not worship Him only because the wind stopped. They worshiped Him because they realized who He truly is—the Son of God.
Psalm 46 reminds us that God is not distant in trouble. He is an “ever-present help.” That means He is always near, especially in the storm. In the sermon, Pastor Joel emphasized that Jesus is never on the sidelines. He is always in the middle of it all.
Worship is not just singing when life gets better. Worship is trusting who Jesus is even when life stays hard. The disciples declared Jesus as the Son of God while still in the boat that had just been battered by waves. They learned that His identity does not change with circumstances.
The gospel shows us the greatest reason Jesus deserves worship. He defeated sin and death through His resurrection. Even when storms remain, death no longer has the final word.
True worship grows when we trust Jesus not only for what He does, but for who He is. He is still worthy when the storm rages and when the night feels long.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does Psalm 46 speak to people experiencing fear or chaos?
- Observation: What promises does God make about His presence?
- Meaning: What does it mean for God to be a “refuge”?
- Main Idea: Why does God’s presence remove fear, even before circumstances change?
- Application: How can worship become a response to God during ongoing struggles?
Prayer
God, You are our refuge and strength. Help us worship You not only when storms stop, but while we are still in them. Thank You for being present and faithful. Amen.
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