Act on What You Have Heard from the Lord
ICS Daily Devotions

Luke 5:6-9 (NKJV‬‬) And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signalled 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;

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Do you believe that the Lord can make a way in the wilderness and a path in the desert? Most definitely! Acting on what He has spoken to us through the prayer of consecration is how He has made a way in the wilderness and a path in the desert! Nonetheless, it takes faith to follow the path. However, we can be encouraged that we have the Holy Spirit to guide and help us.

Simon Peter could have had two reactions when he heard the Lord’s instruction to launch into the deep. The first would have been to reject the instruction, be offended by the suggestion, and stay on shore. After all, they had toiled all night, washed their nets, and all professional fishermen know the best time to fish is at night. However, he wouldn’t have seen the catch if he had taken time to rationalise and had reacted in his flesh against the idea. Nonetheless, many of us would take this option because we think we know better than God and we want to decide for ourselves because of our pride, or we would rather listen to men’s opinions than God’s instructions.

The second option was to obey Jesus’ instructions, which he did. Peter acknowledged Jesus as Master and launched into the deep since it was what Jesus had instructed him to do, even though launching out into the deep during the day did not seem logical or wise.

We can learn from this passage that the way to please God is through faith—simply believing in God and His Word to us. Faith is established when God’s Word is spoken and we take His Word for it. God and His Word are one, which means He backs up every Word that He has spoken and watches over it to perform it in our lives.

Hebrews 11:1,6 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

There must be a corresponding action to our faith when we perceive that we have heard from the Lord. We will not witness God’s work in our lives unless we step out in faith to believe.

Reflection: What keeps you from acting on what you have heard from God? How can you overcome those obstacles to your obedience?

Sermon Series: Walk into the future with a word given by God