Let Down the Nets

As my bible study of Luke 5 continued many little details were highlighted that I hadn’t noticed or didn’t pay attention to before.

“On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,  and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.  Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”  And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”

I think that at some point we have all felt like Peter did, tired and worn out. Weary and at times discouraged by the results of our hard work and nothing to show for it. But in that exact moment is when Jesus asks Peter and us to step out into the deep.

Is it because in that low moment that we are experiencing, we will finally be in a mindset of humble submission to God’s will? Too tired to continue trying to working things out in our own efforts and finally acknowledging that it will only be by the power of God that anything gets accomplished?

Peter’s words gave a vivid picture of what he physically and emotionally felt, but his heart said, “But at your word I will let down the nets.” The same nets that had just been used all night without results and had just been cleaned.

How willing are we to try again? To pull out the resources we’ve been given and lay it all out for His will…again. If the Lord asks us, it is always for a reason.

Peter’s obedience resulted in so many fish that the nets began to tear and the boats started to sink!

“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,  and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”

Think about this, Peter left everything, his family, his business, his home……everything and followed Jesus. The market was flooded with fish that day, enough to pay the expenses for quite some time. Jesus had provided more than enough for the families that were left behind when Peter answered the call to follow Him.

Letting go of what we think we know or what we have when asked by God will always result in seeing God’s provision and work in our lives. These men, seasoned fishermen, were astonished at the catch of fish that day. Jesus did exceedingly more than they could have asked or imagined in response to their obedience in letting down their nets.

Do you want to be astonished by God? To see His abundant provision in your life? Let down your nets. Trust His leading and humbly submit to His will and follow Him. A great adventure awaits.

My Prayer

Father, I love reading Your word. Every verse and story is there for a purpose and I pray I will learn the messages that You have for me. Forgive me for my pride and arrogance in thinking that I know best. Lord all I am and all I have is Yours. Help me to let it go to be used for Your glory. I want to follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.