Luke 5:1-7, “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”
The year is almost half way gone, chances are you are you have not received the breakthrough you hoped for by now. Your prayers do not appear to be answered leave alone heard. Let me begin this series by laying a groundwork to reflect on the past few months for some or years for others then allow me to share from the same passage as an encouragement of what we trust God to come.
Let us look at some individuals under the leadership of Peter who faced a challenge one time. Peter was a professional fisherman just like his brother and two of their friends James and John (sons of Zebedee). It seams their occupation required them to work at night. They looked forward to toiling all night expecting a great catch by morning. As this was their occupation which brought about food and income, they had to work hard. Despite their toiling efforts on this night they caught nothing. All they were left to do was wash their nets feeling very disappointed and exhausted (physically, emotionally and perhaps spiritually). It was going to be hard facing the family members empty handed, nothing in their hands to give. The market was waiting for them to provide for others who depended on their fishing.
Like these fishermen, do you feel like you toiled all night in the last few months with little or no catch at all? You toiled in prayers, you worked hard, you sacrificed a lot, you planned but still… you are now left washing your nets, all that could have been did not work out as you anticipated? Nursing disappointments, drained, not knowing what to do next? What you counted on all failed, you had hopes of going through this year and finishing well but right now you feel like you are barely making it. I have encouragement for us all, “…weeping (toiling) may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”, Psalm 30:5.
Think of those who quit before the night was over or those that circumstances forced to surrender before time. That despite toiling through the cold night, battling waves, sometimes feeling like the boat was going to capsize, you made it through the night. What is your greatest testimony on this day, YOU ARE STILL STANDING BY THE GRACE OF GOD. Do you know the number one response I get from people facing challenges?, they say, “I’m hanging in there”. There is a problem with hanging in there, you can hang in for so long. Those who are “hanging in there” are barely making it. A believer should confess, “I am standing in there”. Standing on what?, standing on the promises of God. 1Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor (toiling) is not in vain in the Lord”, When you have done all you can by the grace of God, “STAND!!!!”, “ …Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you”, 2chronicles 20:17.
We can finish strong regardless of how rough it is. The same God who has given us grace to make it this far, is the same God who will bring us through to the end. You can’t keep crying over what you lost or how things could have been, don’t you know it’s dawn?, It’s already morning, the sun is about to come up. They say that weird hours of the morning are the darkest hour of the night, however it’s an indication that daylight is just around the corner if we can stand a little while. Praises be to God, our victory is not based on WHEN, it’s based on WHO. Blessings Ev
He Has Magnified His Word 