Jesus climbed into the boat belonging to Simon Peter and said to him, “Let me use your boat. Push it off a short distance away from the shore so I can speak to the crowd.” Luke 5:3
Jesus asked Simon Peter if He could use his boat, Simon Peter said “yes” even though he would have been tired from fishing all night long and even though he was most probably feeling sorry for himself considering all that fishing had resulted in nothing but disappointment.
But little did Simon Peter know how from being at that low place Jesus had plans to use that empty fishing boat to carry His message and to produce a disciple and an apostle.
Let’s face it, Simon was had experienced a bad night. But sometimes even those humble and disappointing seasons in life can be used by God. Sometimes coming to the end of our own efforts can create space for God to turn our life and the lives of others around.
Saying yes to God, being obedient to His will is key, big doors swing on small hinges.
We are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus
Just like Simon Peter, sometimes our saying “yes” to what God asks us to do may not be convenient. What about when the Holy Spirit prompts us to get up early to pray or to give a helping hand to someone in need. His request may not always be when we ‘feel like it’.
But we can look at our Lord Jesus and see how he was often inconvenienced to fulfil God’s will. Look at the Samaritan woman at the well. He suffered thirst by journeying to a well in the heat of the day to meet the thirst in the heart of that woman.
Jesus still looks to make those journeys to thirsty people through His church. He has not changed in His desire to save the lost and to mend the broken hearts. He is the Good Samaritan who pours in the oil and wine rather than taking the easy option by walking by on the other side.
We should always be prepared to say ‘yes’ when God calls. He may come completely unexpected like a thief, but we must remember that He is the master of our lives of our house. “‘Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed’” Revelation 16:15 NIVUK
God is full of good surprises
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So, they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” Luke 5:4-7 NIVUK
After Jesus had finished preaching, i believe that Simon Peter may have been a little surprised when Jesus told him to let down the nets for a catch of fish. Afterall, Jesus was not a fisherman like Simon, and after an unsuccessful night it now appeared to be the incorrect spot.
But through Simon Peter’s obedience to let down the nets at Jesus’ request, unknowingly he made way for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to perform a miracle. Simon loaned Jesus a boat and Jesus gave Simon the catch that his heart could only dream of.
Jesus shows the superiority of the kingdom
Jesus showed himself to be superior to any other fisherman that walked the earth. Jesus demonstrated the superiority of the kingdom of God and demonstrated a knowledge and wisdom that was beyond this earth. Simon Peter saw Jesus’ glory and immediately saw his own sinfulness.
Maybe Jesus created the additional fish or, Jesus could have called them or, maybe they were all hiding from Simon we do not know. So it is with God, we do not know. God is full of good surprises. But what we can be sure of is that whenever we seek to honour God and put Him first, in place of our own convenience, He will reward us and make us a blessing to others.
Obedience opens the doors to blessing
Just like Simon Peter, obedience to God’s instruction opens the doors to blessing in our lives. Simon Peter letting down the nets was also an act of faith. Obedience takes faith, because it is not necessarily acting by what our eyes see or we understand but acting according to what God has said.
Just as Abel offered up a sacrifice that was accepted and Cain’s was rejected; It’s not our own ideas and efforts to ‘perform’ that get the miracle catch. But it’s the sincere heart that seeks to bless God and to glorify Him alone that prospers.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15 NIVUK
When Jesus is in your boat anything is possible
Simon Peter may well have just wanted to go home and go to bed. But, by giving his boat to Jesus to use as a preaching platform his day and his life turned into a blessing that not even his boat could contain.
So too, if we give the ‘boat’ of our lives in surrender to God we can expect to see God move miraculously through us and to achieve a lot more good through us than we could ever do alone. Our lives, our catch will be a blessing to God and others beyond just our boat. Our cup overflows.
You don’t have to be strong or clever for God to use your boat. We can let down our proverbial nets a thousand times in our own strength and knowledge, and no matter how right that may be, there is a clear difference when God directs us and we obey. When Jesus is in your boat anything is possible.
Waiting on God to provide
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Psalms 127:1-2 NIVUK
God achieves more in one moment than we could achieve in a lifetime of efforts and striving. This is why we should seek Him and ask for His direction. As the master builder He has the plans for the build.
Maybe you have found yourself to be a bit like Simon Peter, striving away at things but finding no success. Bring those cares and issues to Jesus today. Dont just surrender the situation itself but surrender your boat. Let God do things in His order and in His way. Seek first His kingdom and wait for Him to add the rest in His perfect timing.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Prayer
Lord Jesus, today I give you my boat and I invite you into my life to be my Lord and my Saviour. I have tried my best in my own strength and yet I have reaped little. I am thirsty, hungry and tired. I come to you today and I hand over all of my struggles, all of my pain. I invite you to speak into my situation and to bring life. Revive my heart, show me your ways tell me what is on your heart. I thank you God that you want me to find you and to know you. Reveal yourself to me, even as you did on that day to Simon Peter. Amen.