"Your Time To Fish?"

Now so it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boat's which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. Now when He stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and have caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So 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. When Simon Peter saw it he fell dawn 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 which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. Luke 5:1-11
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Every time I read this account of this amazing catch the Lord quickens my desire to fish! Today is no different! So with this message that is about to come I am doing as He commands and throwing out my net yet again!

Years ago when I was new to the ministry all I could see when I read this account was the Call of Peter to be a 'Fisher of men' but now, today, the verses that stand out are verse 6 and 7 where it says, "And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So 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." Today the words that stand out the most are, 'And when they had done this.'  When they had done this? Done what? What is the 'this' that ended up as a great catch? The 'this' that reaped them such an amazing reward was that they had done exactly what he had said. Obedience had brought them their great catch! Jesus had said, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." With one statement He had told them 1- to launch out, 2- let down their nets, and 3- to receive a catch. With this one command He put them in the right place, equipped and ready to receive the reward of a great catch.

Peter's response; "Master, we have toiled all night and have caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." "Been there, tried that, done that," filled his heart but what came out of his mouth was, "nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."  Then he does it! He launches out. He lets down his net. He gets his great catch and in the process of these acts of obedience his destiny unfolds!

"And when they had done this."  When they had done exactly what He had said to do, 'they caught such a great number of fish,' to the point that their nets were breaking and their boats were sinking under the weight of it. It happened after they had done what He had said. What if Peter's "Been there, tried that, done that," heart attitude had won at some point in the process? What if he had refused to launch out? What if he had launched out and along the way he started to doubt and didn't let down the nets? What if he didn't bother to pull them back in to receive the catch? It happens!

Its not enough to just launch out. Its not enough to just launch out and put the nets in the water. Its not enough until we launch out, put nets in the water and receive a catch. Obedience happens when we put our actions in line to receive His promise! Our obedience doesn't end until His word is fulfilled. His word was, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." and it was fulfilled when,  'they had done this, and when they caught a great number of fish.' It was fulfilled as they did their part and Jesus fulfilled His.

"He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform it. Romans 4:20-21

So, don't waver and don't hesitate! Put into action your obedience to His call! Why? Because of the promise! A great catch awaits!!!

God Bless you as you follow Him!