Luke 5:7
“They beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats.”
What of Today’s Verse…
We all want to fill our nets and boats with the fish that we have caught for Christ. How shall we do it? There are certain conditions for successful Christian service which must be observed. Our nets must be clean. They were “washing their nets.” It was a good thing that this necessary work had been performed; otherwise they would have been unable to sail at a moment’s notice and to let down their nets at the Master’s command (Luk_5:4). “If a man shall cleanse himself.., he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use.” Let us see to it that we are always ready to respond at Christ’s call.
We must be prepared to obey Christ in little things. Our Lord first asked Peter to put out his boat a little from the land. He knew what He was going to do afterwards in making great demands on Peter’s obedience and faith; but first, He made this slight request. With alacrity the Master’s wishes were complied with, and the floating pulpit, rising and falling with the ripple of the water, was at the Lord’s service as He sat down and taught the people. Remember that whenever you lend your empty boat to Jesus, He will pay for it by giving it back to you filled with fish.
Christ’s will must be obeyed even against our own judgment. Peter had spent the whole of his life apprenticed to the lake, and knew everything of the art of fishing. When our Lord bade him: “launch out into the deep, and let down your nets,” it was against all his knowledge and practical experience to let down his nets in the daytime, especially as he had toiled all night in vain! Happily for him, he said: “At Thy word I will let down the nets!”
We must be willing to share with others. He might have kept the haul for himself, but he longed that the others should share in the Master’s bounty, “and they came and filled both the boats.”
Let us Pray:
O God, Thou hast committed our work to us, and we would commit our cares to Thee. May we feel that we are not our own, and that Thou wilt heed our wants while we are intent upon Thy will. Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Comfort
God’s light dispels all darkness.
Dark clouds may at times hide the sun. And there may be days in my life that seem clouded and dark. Whatever my challenge or sorrow, I know there is a place where God’s light never ceases to shine and where there is no darkness. I go to that place within in prayer.
Finding a comfortable spot, I close my eyes. I see the light that penetrates any shadow, and I feel the radiance of God’s love in my heart. I am comforted and strengthened. My mind is calm with a deep sense of peace. I face nothing alone; God’s presence is always with me. There is no darkness that can withstand the light of God. I am safe. I am comforted.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?–Psalm 27:1
