When [H]e finished speaking, [H]e turned to Simon. He said, “Go out into deep water. Let the nets down so you can catch some fish.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because [Y]ou say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught a large number of fish. There were so many that their nets began to break. So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. Luke 5: 4-7, NIRV.*
Blessed LORD, if You will speak the Word, we will learn to obey, “because You say so.” In Jesus’ name we humbly pray; Amen.
This is such an interesting Bible story! I believe it is a wonderful story to illustrate the principle of complete, unquestioning, obedience, to the commands of God. Peter has worked all night at what he does for a living; he knows the tricks of the trade. He is a fisherman by profession. For years he has developed the fine-tuned skill of using the right bait; going out deep enough into the waters; positioning the boat just right. He knows that the night is the best time to go fishing. In other words, he knows what He is doing!
But Peter also knows when He is in the presence of Someone who can teach him a thing or two. Good for Peter! It will bring him blessings too numerous to handle. I am sure Peter, after seeing the results of his obedience, was glad that he took Jesus at His Word, and did as He was told, simply “because [Jesus] said so.” He could have reasoned: this Jesus, may be very special; like no one I have met before, but, He is a Rabbi. I am the fisherman! There is nothing He can teach me, about fishing! Instead, he was willing to, “go out into deep water,” and, “let the nets down…, just because You say so,” LORD!
This story reminds me of a promise God made to us in the book of Malachi. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (3: 10). Emphasis provided. At this command many are tempted to respond with answers like, “But I barely have enough to eat, how am I going to give one tenth of my income?” or, “When I get a better-paying job I will start tithing; but for now, I don’t see how I can!”
That is just the point, we do not have to “see how.” Peter did not “see how” the waters he had fished in all night without catching any fish was going to render so many fishes that his net would begin to brake. But because the Lord asked him to, he did; and the results were astonishing! The children of Israel did not “see how” they could cross the Red Sea, until they stepped into it, and the Lord parted the waters. Had they stayed on the shore Pharaoh’s army would have overtaken them, and the results could have been disastrous!
Our Christian walk, is by faith, not by sight. There are times, when, we are going to have to act like the little boy, who was at the top of the stairs when the lights went out. He began to cry. His dad could see him, but he could not see his dad. Nevertheless, when dad said “Leap Tommy, I will catch you,” little Tommy, without asking any questions, simply leaped in the direction he was told, and into the arms of his father. Perhaps some of our experiences will require a leap in the dark. But just remember, “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33: 27). You can do it, because He said so.
*New International Reader’s Version.