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Today's Devotion
From Dr. David Jeremiah
Pulling Others Up
July 2, 2026
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him.
Matthew 14:31
Recommended Reading:
Matthew 14:22-3322 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,[{{f}}] tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,[{{f}}] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.33 Then those who were in the boat came and[{{f}}] worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33
Logan Hayes was stuck in traffic on Interstate 95 when he noticed a vehicle sinking in a nearby pond. He leaped from his car and jumped in the water. A panicked woman was stuck in the front seat. Logan pulled her out and swam her fifty feet to shore. The woman was pregnant, and hours after the rescue she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. One unselfish act, two lives saved!1
It’s important to keep our eyes open for drowning people. They may be drowning in debt, drowning in sorrow, or drowning in sin. When Peter was sinking beneath the waves, Jesus reached down and pulled him up. Later Peter stretched out his hand to a lame man, pulled him to his feet, and the man began walking and leaping and praising God (Acts 3:7-8).
The same Jesus who knew how to pull Peter from the overwhelming waves can empower us to pull people from their bad places in life. As we attempt to live our lives as Christ did, we have the responsibility of looking out for the interests of others. Ask Him to show you ways to pull others up.
The Bible teaches that we have a Christian duty to help our neighbors in their time of need. We are called by God to bring the water of life for both soul and body.
Billy Graham
