By Andrew Williams
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.” – Luke 5:4-7 (NLT)
Good morning fellow disciples
In this powerful passage, we see Jesus calling Simon Peter to trust Him in a way that went beyond Peter’s natural instincts and professional expertise. Simon and his fellow fishermen had spent the entire night fishing with no success—a frustrating and exhausting experience for anyone, especially those who relied on fishing for their livelihood. When Jesus instructed Simon to go back out and cast his nets again, it must have seemed like an unreasonable request. After all, Simon was an experienced fisherman, and logic would suggest that if fish weren’t caught during the prime hours of the night, there was little hope during the day.
Yet, Simon’s response is a beautiful example of obedience and faith: “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” He chose to redirect his focus from his own understanding, experience, and exhaustion to trust in Jesus’ word. The result? A miraculous catch so abundant that it required help from another boat to bring it all in.
This story reminds us that Jesus is not limited by our circumstances or expertise. When we trust Him and obey His word, even when it doesn’t make sense, He can move in ways that exceed our expectations. Simon’s willingness to act in faith not only resulted in a great blessing for him but also involved others in witnessing God’s power.
Simon Peter’s obedience encourages us to trust Jesus with the areas of our lives where we feel stuck, frustrated, or defeated. Maybe you’ve been working hard in your career, your ministry, or your relationships, yet you see little to no results. Like Simon, you might feel tempted to give up. But this passage empowers us to believe that when Jesus gives us a word, we can trust Him to bring forth results in His time and His way.
You may feel like your “nets” are empty after countless efforts, but Jesus is inviting you to redirect your focus from your own limitations to His infinite power. When you choose to obey His leading, even when it defies logic or your own understanding, He can accomplish miracles that are beyond what you could imagine.
Take some time today to identify areas in your life where you feel weary from striving without seeing results. Pray and ask Jesus to guide you with His word and direction. Then, commit to taking a step of obedience, even if it feels uncertain or illogical. Maybe it’s reaching out to someone, applying for a new opportunity, or trusting Him with a decision you’ve been hesitant about. Redirect your focus from your own efforts and trust Jesus to provide in ways only He can.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding me through Simon Peter’s story that my efforts alone are nothing compared to what You can accomplish when I trust and obey You. I confess that I often rely on my own understanding and grow frustrated when I don’t see results. Help me to redirect my focus from my limitations to Your power and faithfulness. Give me the courage to act in obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense, knowing that You lead me for my good and Your glory. Use my life, Lord, to show others Your power and faithfulness. In Your name, I pray, Amen.