Today’s Scripture: Luke 5:5, NIV- “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.””
The New King James Version puts this a little differently. “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.”” Simon Peter was responding to Jesus’ instruction to take his boat out into the deep to cast his nets.
Simon and his fishing partners had already fished all night with no luck. He pushed back, much like our first reactions to Jesus’ callings to us. I have already been there and done that Lord. I tried that but it did not work for me.
In Luke 4:42 we are told that Jesus went out to a solitary or deserted place. We too, must get away with just us and the LORD. Alone with God is where we get away from all other voices so we can recognize His voice. Also, alone with His Word we can be astonished at what we “hear”. If our prayers are a scrambled mess at times, I have found that going to God’s Word will bring order and a “spoken” word into our minds and souls.
I have shared many times out of my amazement that if you follow Jesus’ example by getting away at daybreak to be alone with God, you too will be astonished. Keep going to Him and His Word. We may not feel it as Simon did not expect to however our God continues to amaze.
We will still be challenged to act on what we hear. Jesus did not listen to the voices of those who tracked Him down to His deserted place. He knew what the LORD was instructing Him to do. We must also be careful to shut out the voices that attempt to redirect us for their own reasons. Our reason and our instructor is God.
Simon knew he did not deserve the Lord’s blessings and we know it too. However, over two thousand years later we are still reading and studying this scripture together. Although we are not worthy, when we are faithful to God’s voice, we can leave a legacy of lasting change as well. We too will be astonished and awestruck at what God speaks into us.
Jesus is willing to go with us wherever He is sending us. Are we willing to go with Him? Again, in Luke 5:16. We are instructed us to do as Jesus did, “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.” (KJB). We must be reminded and willing to withdraw and disconnect from everything and everyone to be alone with God and pray.
During these times is where we learn the voice and receive the power and direction from our LORD. God will send us with His Spirit to the places He desires us to be. In these places we find we are in the right place to do the will of God. The first right place we need to be is alone in our wilderness with God. Will you go?
Today’s Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for calling us to be alone with You. Teach us and allow us to experience what Jesus found when He often went to be alone with You. Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as You prayed with God. Holy Spirit, I know You are the same Spirit who was with Jesus. Please be with me and help me to hear what I am to hear and to see what I am to see. Speak to us LORD in Your Word and call us into the places You desire for us to fish for Your people. In the name of Jesus Christ, I do pray. Amen.
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