Morning By Morning #282

Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.

Luke 5:4

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

We can learn from this passage the importance of human involvement. The catch of fish was miraculous indeed, but neither the fisherman, his boat, nor his fishing gear was ignored; they were all used to catch the fish. And while God’s system of grace will stand, the Lord uses particular methods, such as preaching, in the saving of souls. “God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). When God works without using us as vessels, He is glorified, but He Himself has selected the plan of using instruments of His grace as being the way by which He is the most glorified on earth. Yet the instruments left alone will always end in utter failure.

Simon Peter said to the Lord, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” (Luke 5:5). What was the reason for this? Weren’t they experienced fishermen plying their special calling and trade? Truly they were not new to the profession and they understood their work, so were they doing the work without skill? No, they were well trained. Then did they lack diligence and perseverance? No, they had worked hard, laboring all through the night. Was there a lack of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master arrived, schools of fish swam straight into the net. Then what is the reason?

It is because there is no power in the means by themselves apart from the presence of Jesus, who said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). But we “can do everything through him” (Phil. 4:13). Christ’s presence itself bestows success. He sat in Peter’s boat and by the mysterious power of His will drew the fish to the net. And when Jesus is lifted up in His church, His very presence is the church’s power, for the promise of a King is in the church’s midst: “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32).

May we leave our homes this morning for our work of fishing for souls, looking up in faith and all around us in earnest expectation. May we work until night comes and may our labor not be in vain, for He who bids us to let down our net will fill it with fish.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

There is probably not a child alive today who enjoys hearing this response from one of his parents: “Because I said so.” Yet due to children’s lack of experience, maturity, and ability to understand certain truths, sometimes those “hated” words are exactly the right answer.

Simon Peter, who often made mistakes due to his impetuousness, nevertheless in today’s story did just as Jesus instructed him. His initial response was, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything,” yet consider the very next words that came from his lips, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5). In Scripture, and in life, success in God’s eyes will only follow obedience.

Remember what Mary told the servants at the wedding in Cana, just before Jesus changed the water into wine: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

What great advice! “Do whatever [Jesus] tells you”! Why? Because He said so. That alone is reason enough!

Lord, help me obey whatever You tell me—simply because You said so!