Luke 5:3-5 (NKJV) Four Fishermen Called as Disciples
3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus is with His disciples and asks for Simon’s help to be able to teach the people. He asks Simon (Peter) bring the boat out a little from shore so He can teach without being crowded. Jesus needed a little space. After He is done teaching, He asks Peter to put out into the deep for a catch. He wants to bless Peter for the use of the boat. But Peter knows better. There are no fish to be caught at this time. Just to humor Jesus, Peter says, almost sarcastically, “at Your word I will let down the net.” He was in for a big surprise. The catch was so great it almost sank the boats.
When you hear Jesus speak to you, do you try to ignore it and hope it will go away? I know I do. Do you always obey? Do you say we tried that once and it did not work? Have you done things in your own power and not succeeded? Are you willing to take Jesus at His word and work in His power?
I have been blessed to hear and see things others have missed. I try to ignore what God is trying to tell me or show me hoping it will go away and He will give up putting the idea in front of me. It doesn’t work! He keeps reminding me of His will. He is patient with me. I cannot tell you how often I go to people with these ideas and they tell me “we tried that once and it did not work”. Since these ideas are not mine but have been given me, I know where they are from and I know they are in His timing and part of His plan. Therefore, I know they will succeed. But others are not ready to listen. It used to frustrate me and I would argue with people. That is one of the rough edges God has rubbed off of me with circumstances. I have come to a place where I can be patient. I share these ideas with people and I am prepared for the “no”. God has allowed me the patience to bring the idea up again and again just as He does to me when I resist. And it is working! What has happened is that people are beginning to realize these are not my ideas but God’s leading. Some of my “crazy ideas” are getting traction because God has built a reputation of giving me these ideas and them working.
Are you hearing a call to do a “new thing”? Could these thoughts be coming from God? Does He want you to step out of your comfort zone and go a new way? Does He want you to launch out into the deep? What is holding you back? Many times, we don’t believe it is God leading us. My experience is that, if the idea won’t go away no matter how hard you try to ignore it, it is God speaking to you! A sure way to test ideas is compare the principles to Scripture. If this idea is consistent with what you have learned in Scripture, it is from God. God still speaks today. But remember, it is that still small voice. It is hard to hear over the roar of this world. Listen carefully and focus on God. He will guide you! Test Him in this and see if He will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing on you that you will not have places to store it all. (Malachi 3:10)
Thank you Lord for caring enough to remain close to us in our daily lives. Your Spirit lives within us and is ready to remind us of Your teachings and guide us if we will listen. Make Your presence known as we walk with You. Teach us Your ways O Lord that we may know you better and follow Your leading. Help us to let down out nets! In Your name we pray. Amen!