Do any of you ever have days where you read the Bible in the morning and then later that night have no memory of what you read? That’s happened to me more times than I’d like to admit, usually when I don’t take the time to write anything down. Some how the act of writing something down automatically helps it stick in my brain so much better. Is anyone else like that?
In order to help myself write things down I’m going to share what I’ve been learning with you guys every so often, either here on the blog or in my bi-weekly newsletter. (Subscribe here if you haven’t yet!)
As you know from my last goals post, I’ve recently been reading through Luke. I’ve not made it super far yet – I believe I just finished chapter ten – but it’s been so good!
About a week ago I read these verses from chapter five, quoted here in the NASB version:
When [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken.
I’d read this story many times before, but it especially jumped out at me this time. (Isn’t it cool how that happens?) Simon (aka Peter) had worked all night to catch fish. As far as we know he was a great fisherman, and he’d done everything he knew to do. But his efforts were totally fruitless. There just weren’t any fish.
I love how doubtful Simon sounds in his answer to Jesus: “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say . . . . ” Isn’t that how we all are at times? We’ve done everything we know to do and nothing is working. But, you know, I guess we should probably pray about it. I doubt it will do any good but hey, it’s worth a shot.
That sounds terrible doesn’t it? But haven’t we all had thoughts like that at one time or another?
I love how the story ends though! When Simon does what Jesus says he ends up with so many fish that his boat and his partner’s boat start to sink. What an awesome display of God’s power! And what a great reminder for us that even when something seems hopeless, God can provide.
We don’t know when or how God is going to work. It’s not our job to know that. Our job is to keep on keeping on as they say. It’s to stay faithful even when our efforts seem fruitless. And it’s to trust that He CAN and WILL answer our prayers in His time.
Is there something you’re impatient for, something that you’ve been working towards and you’re still not seeing any results? Something you’ve been praying about and praying about and still nothing? God’s got this friend.
He could’ve told Simon not to even bother fishing all night. After all, Jesus knew the whole night would be fruitless. But He didn’t stop him. God had a reason for that fruitless night, and the same goes for us. If we could only see the whole picture like He can we would never doubt.
Anyway, those verses stuck out to me while I was reading them the other day so I really wanted to share them on here. <3
Love you all!