Daily Devotion

This daily devotion is based on the Morning Office. It comes with selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture text, accompanied by reflections and prayers. There is an audio option. This devotion is suitable for personal and family devotions. It will be best to both read and listen. The link to the entire Morning Office today is provided at the end of each devotion. This project started on Ash Wednesday, 2025 and are offered for weekdays only. 

14th March – “It is I; do not be afraid.” 

Audio

Prepare

Today is Friday, the 14th of March. As we come to the close of another week in Lent, let us continue to keep our Lent commitments. We open with the collect for today:

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, 
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; 
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save; 
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Psalm Reading

The appointed psalm for today is Psalm 139. Here, we will read verses 13 to 16. These set of verses is a prayer.

¹³ For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

Prayer/Reflection

The prayer of this Psalmist reminds us that we are wonderfully and uniquely made. Right from the early days in our mother’s wombs. We will always wish that we can be better versions of ourselves. Yet who we are, warts and all, is a unique miracle. That you are even capable of reading and praying this, is in itself a divine gift. Let us be thankful.

Scripture Reading

The Scripture for today is taken from John chapter six, verses 16 to 27.

John 6:16-21

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 frightened. 

But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 

Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Reflection

Fear can be a constant companion in our lives. Sometimes, fear can protect us from danger. For instance, when we are crossing a busy road or when we are hiking up a steep slippery slope. Or as in this story, when the disciples found themselves caught in rough seas.

The disciples were already very nervous as the winds whips up the waves. To see a person approaching from the seas can of course be a terrifying sight. They have good reasons to be fearful.

In response, Jesus said these comforting words: “It is I: do not be afraid.” In the midst of the storms, it can be very reassuring to know that the Lord is here. He is in control.

Sooner or later, we will have to confront fearful moments in our lives or of those we love. May we know His presence always. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil.

For He is with us.

Prayer

What have you been going through? Take a few moments to commit your fears to the Lord and open your hearts to His presence.

Closing

We close with the words of the hymn, Jesus calls us o’er the tumult, sung by the St Andrew’s Cathedral’s Choir.

Hymn Audio

1. Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless sea;
Day by day his sweet voice sounding,
Saying, “Christian, follow me.”

2. As of old the apostles heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home, and toil, and kindred,
Leaving all for His dear sake.

3. Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love me more.”

4. In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
As we love Him more than these.

5. Jesus calls us—By Thy mercies,
Savior, may us hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.

Amen.

Link to full Morning Office