“But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them…” (Matthew 14:24-25).
The fourth watch? Why not the first, second, or third watch? Can the Lord not see when we are being battered by the unceasing waves of circumstances? Can He not hear our despairing cries over the winds that howl against us? The hours of 3:00-6:00 a.m. comprise the fourth watch. If you have ever “pulled an all-nighter” then you know these to be the most challenging, if not, for some, impossible hours to stay awake. For three watches we are sustained by our own will power; determination; resolve. Such is the way we deal with our hardships. While we may be praying to God during this time, we still, at the same time, pursue remedy and resolution by our own resourcefulness. By the fourth watch of our circumstances, we have nothing left to offer and the presence and deliverance of the Lord is undeniable. To experience His fourth watch appearance is both humbling, formative and, thus, necessary.
Bobby Dagnel 