In Mark 6:48, the disciples are on the sea, rowing into a contrary wind. They have been at the oars since evening. The text says Christ saw them — saw them — toiling at the oars. He did not come to them in the first watch. He did not come in the second. He did not come in the third. He came about the fourth watch of the night.
The fourth watch is the watch from three in the morning to six. It is the last stretch before dawn. It is the watch you keep when you have already kept three.
The disciples were not abandoned in the first three watches. They were seen. Christ saw them every minute of every watch. He came in the fourth.
This is the lesson for anyone keeping a long watch. The Lord is not absent in the early hours when you are still strong. He is not absent in the middle hours when the strength has gone. He sees through every watch. And the help, when it comes, comes near dawn — not before.
The watchman is not promised that the night will be short. He is promised that he is not unseen.
Keep rowing.
— Thirdwatch Co.