Nevertheless, Trust His Instructions

Nevertheless,Trust His Instructions!

Luke 5:4-6

4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 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.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

Have you ever been working on something all night long that had a fruitless end? Even though you have given it your best effort? Even though you knew what you were doing? Even though you were in the right place at the right time, but still nothing?

Have you ever received an instruction from the Lord to do something that seemed like the wrong time for it to work? Did you obey or did you stick to your way of doing things because your timing made more sense than his? And once again, you came up with nothing!

All of us have been faced with times in our lives when what we used to do and the way we used to do it successfully is no longer working. When this happens many of us are ready to quit, change careers, move on to something new, or we just get stuck in a cycle of frustration and non-productivity.

This is exactly what was going on in Simon's mind in Luke 5. Simon was a skilled fisherman. He knew what he was doing. He knew the rhythm of the waters and the nature of the fish. On this particular night he had stayed as long as he could, doing all that he knew to do but the fish weren't biting. Not even one! Experience taught Simon that in times like these you just call it a night and try again the next night. That was his plan and his expectation.

But Jesus had a different plan! He tells Simon to launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. Jesus is telling Simon, the skilled fisherman, where to go, what to do, and what to expect!

I can't imagine what Simon's first thought might have been. After all, I am sure he was exhausted and disappointed from pulling an all-nighter that yielded no fruit. He may have been somewhat amused that a carpenter is trying to tell a fisherman how to fish. Amused that the carpenter didn't even know the rules of fishing. He may have been insulted or offended that Jesus would suggest that Simon didn't know what he was doing. Or he may have been so desperate to bring in a haul that it was easy for him to submit to the instructions given, even though the timing was all wrong.

Simon has no problem saying to Jesus what he thought about his command. “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

I believe this was the deciding factor for Simon. Simon might have saw a carpenter but he heard his master. He knew of the miracles that he had performed. He trusted the power of the words that came from his mouth. He knew that if Jesus said it, then it would happen.

Simon's trust in his own ability as a skilled fisherman had already waned. He had toiled all night and caught nothing. He had nothing else to lose..."nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

I believe this was the deciding factor for Simon. Simon might have saw a carpenter but he heard his master. He knew of the miracles that he had performed. He trusted the power of the words that came from his mouth. He knew that if Jesus said it, then it would happen.

Simon's trust in his own ability as a skilled fisherman had already waned. He had toiled all night and caught nothing. He had nothing else to lose...nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Simon was correct in his thinking. He did well to obey the instructions because what Jesus said would happen, did happen. 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

In this moment, Simon experienced the supernatural power of the prophetic words of Jesus. I believe, prior to speaking to Simon, Jesus had already spoken to the waters and to the fish. He had already prepared them for Simon's arrival. When he dropped the net, the fish had to acquiesce to the situation.

I want to encourage you today to obey the instructions of the Lord in your given situation. Don't give up in what the Lord has called you to do. Jesus has already gone before you and prepared whatever it is that you need to succeed. His instructions may not make sense, but nevertheless, obey!

Blessings!

Pastor Karen