Matthew 14:22 "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."
As soon as the disciples had gathered the twelve baskets of fragments after Jesus had blessed them to feed the multitude on five loaves and two fishes, Jesus immediately sent the disciples away. He insisted (compelled) that they get into a ship and leave without Him. Once the disciples had departed, Jesus made sure that the multitude was safely dismissed.
After the multitudes were gone, Jesus went up alone to pray (worship) and commune with His father. Jesus went up (was in an elevated place) when He prayed. We, too, must seek a higher place than the mundane things of this world when we pray. It is a time of communion with the Most High God and deserves to be treated with solemnity.
The disciples, having done exactly as Jesus commanded, found themselves in rough water. Their ship was being tossed about by the waves because the wind was against them (contrary). Jesus came to them in the fourth (or final) watch of the night. This watch fell between the hours of three o’clock and six o’clock in the morning and was also referred to as the morning watch.
When the disciples saw Him come walking on the water, they were afraid and alarmed. They had never seen anything like this before. Even though they had seen Jesus do many miracles already, they have never imagined a scene such as this. Then they heard the blessed words, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”
Dear ones, there will be times in our lives that even when we have done exactly what the Holy Spirit has commanded us, storms will come. Our Lord will still be found coming to us amid our storms during the “morning watch.” He still has miracles aplenty to deliver us from our fears and struggles. Whatever makes you afraid today, pray and listen for that small still voice that says to your heart, “Do not be afraid. I am here.”