“When He had 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 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.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:4-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Simon Peter had been to the deep. He’d cast his nets there and came up empty. He’s done all he knew to do and came back to shore, resigning himself to an empty net and a “try again tomorrow” but in a different place attitude. 

Then Jesus came. 

Jesus saw the empty boat so He stepped on board and asked Simon Peter to launch out into the deep again and cast his nets one more time. 

And so Simon did – even though he’d tried and failed, even though he’d searched and worked and came up empty, nevertheless, at the Word of Jesus, Simon launched out and cast one more time – and this time, the weight of the catch was causing the net to break and Simon had to have help. 

The lesson is this: even if we’ve tried and failed, even if it seems impossible, even if it seems dead, empty, and forsaken, when Jesus comes, everything changes. 

He may ask us to do the thing that scares us or to return to the thing we laid down – and if He does, no matter our fear, doubt, or worry, nevertheless, He can be trusted. 

Father – thank You for Your Word and Your Son. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: Luke 4-5, Matthew 4, John 1:15-51

October 5, 2022