AT YOUR WORD I WILL

LUKE 5:4-5 NKJ 
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.” 
 

I love this story. Well, I actually love all the stories about Jesus, but this one is a particular favorite. Peter responded to Jesus' request to use his fishing boat. He may have been tired after a disappointing night fishing, but he still was willing to help. 

When Jesus finished, He blessed Peter by directing him to go back out for a catch. Peter, who knew more about fishing, explained why that was not a good idea. If they did not catch fish all night, then catching them during the day certainly would not work. But then came Peter's most excellent decision, at Your word I will.   

Peter reluctantly obeyed Jesus and almost sunk two fishing boats with the amazing number of fish they caught.  

APPLICATION 

There are some great lessons here: 

1. Serving Jesus is a choice, not a feeling.   


2. Sometimes serving Him appears as simple as holding the boat, but if it helps Jesus, it's immensely valuable. 


3. Jesus asks us to serve/help Him; He does not demand or force.   


4. Those who sow seeds of service reap a harvest. 


5. Obeying God's word in scriptures and what He speaks to our heart is true wisdom. But, on the surface, it does not always appear wise.   


6. God thinks bigger than we do. Jesus said a catch, but Peter reaped a boat sinking load. 


It's easy to see why I love this passage. There is just so much here we can learn from. The key lesson for today is we want to look for and obey God's word to us, the word He makes alive in our hearts. One of the smartest things we can say to the Lord is, at Your word I will.   

PRAYER 

Thank you for Your leadership, Lord.  At Your word, I will act.  Please help me discern the word You are speaking to my heart so I can obey it.