It was a stormy night – a scary time to be out on the sea. Suddenly they saw someone walking on the water, and that made them even more afraid. But Jesus said, “It is I, be not afraid.” And just that quick – everything was O.K.
The presence of Christ turned a fearful circumstance into a calm experience. To hear Him say “It is I,” made all the difference in the world! The disciples were no longer afraid.
The first person, singular personal pronoun “I” is a great comfort when used in the context of God’s loving relationship to His people. In Psalm 46:10 God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Usually the personal pronoun “I” is inherent within the verb in the Hebrew language. So when the actual pronoun is used, as it is here, it is for emphasis.
In other words, God is saying “Be still and know that I am God.”
NOT that Allah is God
or that there are many gods
or – the “force” be with you.
BUT – a very personal encounter with the one and only God
“I” am God.
God is very jealous for His transcendent place in the universe, and especially that His people acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives. There is always the temptation to give our allegiance to other things—to another person, to a job, to societal conformity, to our possessions and toys—and to only give lip service to God’s authority. On the other hand, when God’s will and purpose becomes the supreme desire of our lives, then to hear Him say “know that I am God” is not a threat. It is a great comfort and encouragement, assuring us that the God of the universe is the personal God of our lives. “Be still and know that I am God.”
Hey—God isn’t out to get you. He’s out to help you. You need to be still and know that!