Pulpit Today

In Luke 5, the apostles had spent the night fishing without any success.  So after a hapless night, Peter and his companions began washing their nets.  They were ready to go home, eat breakfast, and rest for awhile.  But as they were about to pack away their nets Jesus announced He was ready to fish.  It’s not unusual for the Lord’s timing to differ from ours.  We may be ready to give up and go home because of frustration, but that may be the very moment the Lord says, “Okay, I’m ready to launch out into deep waters.”  And when this happens, regardless of how frustrated or disheartened you may be, it is time to obey!  When the apostles obeyed they hauled in a boat sinking load of fish.  There is no guarantee that when you obey God you will get a miracle of biblical proportions.  There is no guarantee that you will catch 100 fish, 10 fish, or even 1.  But here is what the Bible does promise.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  That’s success with God!  It doesn’t matter whether your reward is one fish or a thousand fish.  It doesn’t matter if your reward comes in this life or the next.  Obedience is the central issue and God’s unwavering promise is, “your labor in the Lord will not be in vain.”  Let me show you what I find interesting about this miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5.  Simon Peter was a master fisherman.  He and his brother Andrew were partners with James and John and they owned multiple boats.  As expert anglers they knew all the fishing tricks.  But despite their professional expertise they came up empty-handed here.  But this is when Christ stepped into the picture.  You see, even professionals need the Lord’s help!  It doesn’t matter how smart or successful you are, nobody can go it alone.  The skill of the surgeon knows it limitations.  The wisdom of the sage and the knowledge of the genius are often darkened.  The logic of the lawyer cannot always acquit.  But the Lord Jesus Christ is never enervated.  His wisdom is never frustrated and His strength is never constrained.  Darkness is as light to Him; mysteries are without their ambiguity; and the mountains are but His stepping stones.  Scripture says, “Our God is a mighty God,” and that means nothing is impossible with Him!  So when Jesus speaks, obey Him!  His reward is with Him.