ICS Daily Devotions
Let Jesus Enter Your Boat
Luke 5:1-9 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 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.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord! For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken.
Jesus was preaching by the Lake of Gennesaret in the morning. Multitudes had gathered to hear the Word of God. Jesus saw two boats and got into Simon’s boat to use as a platform to preach to the masses.Jesus asked Simon to move the boat a little further into the sea. The fishermen had worked hard all night but caught nothing and were washing their nets. They were tired and yet they did what Jesus asked them to do and served Him.
After the teaching was over, Jesus asked Simon Peter to go fishing again. Peter and his friends had toiled all night in vain. They knew fishing better than Jesus who was a carpenter! In the natural there was no reason they should be listening to Jesus. But Peter knew within who was asking him to cast the nets. He chose to obey the Son of God. Peter recognized and acknowledged the Word of Jesus thus saying ‘nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net”. And so great numbers of fishes were caught and the nets were full and the boat was almost sinking due to the load. The result was unbelievable to the natural eye!
We often face circumstances like Peter did in our work life, too. Hard work and dedication may not always pay off. It is easy to get discouraged and give up in the time of crisis. But remember that if Jesus is on the boat with us, we will never return to the shore without a good catch!
The fishermen were all dismayed when they returned to the shore without any fish. Yet Peter lent his boat to Jesus and listened to His preaching without giving an excuse to go home. Peter blessed Jesus with the usage of the boat and God blessed him.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Continue to be faithful servant of God no matter what situation you are in. Seek His will and guidance in your circumstances and obey. Peter obeyed Jesus and listened to His Word. He applied what he learned from Jesus’ preaching into his business. We ought to do that too in all areas of our life. Acting upon God’s Word gives a breakthrough!!
We may go about the duties of our calling, with great cheerfulness, when we have been with God daily through prayer. He thus sanctifies our worldly duties by His Word! Never abruptly quit your calling even if you have not seen any desirable success yet. When we follow the guidance of Christ’s Word, we will taste and see His faithfulness. Let Him be the captain of your boat!
Sermon Series: God’s Wisdom
