June 15, 2022

Luke 5: 4-6 (NIV)

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 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.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

Trust always begins with one side taking a risk.*

I don’t know how long Peter (Simon) had been a fisherman but it was probably long enough that he could have resented Jesus’ recommendation. “I’m a professional,” he might have thought. “I know how to fish.” Was he just humoring Jesus when he agreed to try something different? Or did he give Jesus’ word higher authority than his own experience, as John Maxwell suggests?*

As humans, we may become experts in many areas, but as Christians we often have to set aside what we know from experience, training, and intuition, and do something illogical - because Jesus asked us to. If we are Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, we will find ourselves making choices that defy reason. Faith and common sense do not go hand-in-hand.

Being asked to fish in deeper water may not be as risky as taking your seven children to live in a middle-eastern country to minister to refugees (as my friends have done) but Jesus does not always require us to follow him into danger – only to trust him with every step we take.

The Christian may find himself in situations in which it appears impossible for God to keep His word. Satan would have us trust our senses. He assures us that faith is contrary to right reasoning.*