Have you ever felt like no matter how much you try, you’re just barely staying afloat? Most days, it can feel like we’re struggling just to move forward.

In Mark 6, we read about Jesus’ disciples straining at the oars all night because the wind was against them.

Just before Dawn

“Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,”. Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Firstly, the disciples worked all night to keep themselves from drowning. The waters were rough and the winds were strong.

I’m sure they wondered where Jesus was during this time as He asked them to go ahead of Him. Did their Rabbi leave them in this storm to perish?

But we read that Jesus was watching them from the mountain where He was praying. When they were straining at the oars, Jesus saw them. He doesn’t leave His prayer and run to them, instead He waits and goes out to them just before dawn.

Maybe Jesus knew there is something in the wrestling and straining that shapes us. So He watched and waited.

But wait, Jesus was about to pass them by?

Now there is a line in the Gospel of Mark that isn’t found in the other gospels; Jesus went out to them walking on the water but He was about to pass them by. I was intrigued by that line and did a little research.

Why would Jesus intend to leave them and go past them? That didn’t seem right.

Apparently, it doesn’t literally mean that Jesus was going to pass them by or abandon them in the storm. Just like God passed by Moses and Elijah, He was going to pass by the disciples showing His power and glory.

“When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.” Exodus 33:22 NIV

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” 1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God not only saw them but He was going to show up in a way they would witness His incredible power.

Jesus walked on the rough waters and spoke to the winds and the waves. The wind and the waves still in His presence for they know the voice of their Maker.

If you’re straining at the oars and you feel like Jesus is not with you in the boat, I want to encourage you today that Jesus will come to you, even if it is just before dawn. He will not let you drown. His eyes are on you and you will see His glory on display!