Lighthouse – A structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators.
In the 14th chapter of the book of Matthew, we find the story of Jesus feeding five thousand people. After this time of ministering in word and the miraculous, Jesus sends the twelve over to the next town by boat and He goes away to pray. The twelve are in a boat already rocked by the wind and waves, but do not even realize it or they are asleep. At the fourth watch of the night or around 3:00 AM, Jesus begins to walk on the water to them and, suddenly they wake and are frightened not by the rocking of the boat, but by the sight of Jesus walking on the water to them. They are not sure who or what it is that comes to them. How can you walk intimately with the Christ and not know Him? He tells them to not be afraid and Peter responds by requesting to come to Jesus on the water and Jesus simply says “come”. Peter jumps out of the boat. He starts out strong walking on the water, but he soon notices the wind and the waves and begins to sink. Jesus reaches out his hand of strength and lifts Peter from the water and puts him back in the boat.
A lighthouse is a lonely structure that has one purpose. It is there to guide those far from the shore to safety. It is always emitting the same light regardless of the weather or the time of day. Its beacon is always strong and bright. It shines in the fog; it shines in the hurricane, as well as in the calm. How many times have Believers cried out to God in song that we want more of Him? How many times have we said, we want more of your anointing, more of your presence oh Lord? In order to have more of Him, we must leave our safety net, our boat. Yet, we are so like the twelve. We are asleep to the peril that lies around us daily, hourly and every minute. Trouble comes in the night while we are sleeping, still Jesus is on guard. He is watching and interceding for us and those we love. Jesus is our lighthouse. He stands strong and tall. He bids us to come to Him but the journey is full of trial and tribulation. We must be willing like Peter to get out of the boat of ordinary and worldly safety and begin to walk toward our lover on the water. It will be treacherous for water is unstable and not solid. It will feel uncomfortable and He will beckon at the late hour. It is an hour of stillness all around. It will be when natural work has ceased. But, it is also a time of the miraculous. The fourth watch of the night is a time of the Kingdom of Heaven coming to earth. It is a time of the release of deliverance and the manifestation of the Word. Jesus is the living Word! He comes to break into your world and leave Himself, His light. Come away with me my love. Heaven comes to you tonight. You have been tossed to and fro. You are scared of the day and uncertain of what happens next. But, I stand as a beacon of light. I will guide you safely to me. I will provide a refreshing. I will restore. I will rebuild areas torn down by life and make something beautiful out of you.
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121 NLT
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