My aunt was talking about the goodness of God over the phone with me Friday. During our conversation, the phrase for the blog came to me. We started praising and thanking God. Most of us believers know that where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, He is in the midst (Matthew 18:20). God has everything in place for us. However, we must do something natural that requires faith and sacrifice for it to be released from Heaven.
Early Friday morning, God gave me Luke 5 to meditate on. I gathered a lot of points out of it.
The first thing I observed in verse 1 was that people were gathered to hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing the word of God. It is not a one-time thing. It should be a daily lifestyle to listen to the word of God to have faith to act.
The second thing I noticed was that Jesus got into their boat of Simon’s and told him to launch out into the deep in verses 2-4 of Luke 5. God knows that when we are in a certain state, we must do something more to exercise our faith.
The third thing I noticed was that Simon worked hard to get what he needed. Verse 5 of Luke 5, Simon says: Master, we have toiled all night and have not caught anything, but at your word, I will let down my net.
There have been many times in my life when I tried on my own to supply my needs by working many hours, putting money to the side, and still not having enough. As soon as you save for something, other expenses will come up, and you are right back where you started. Toiling is what we do when we try to do it on our own. Every situation we handle without the help of God (whether it is marriage, business, managing money, or any relationship) is toiling. Webster’s meaning of toil: is to work hard and long; overwork.
Matthew 11:28-30 Easy Read Version: 28 “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30 Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.”
The final thing I got from the scriptures was that Simon did what God told him to do and caught such a large number of fish that he had to signal his partners for help. God multiplies whatever we give over to Him. He can do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that works within us. (Ephesians 3:20)
Your victory is already set. Let down your net!
Prayer: We praise you, Heavenly Father, for being the all-knowing and loving God. God, we give our situations over to you. We toiled in certain areas of our lives and have gotten nowhere, but through hearing your word daily, we obtain our faith, and at your word, we act. We ask your forgiveness for trying to make things happen ourselves and not trusting in your word. Romans 8:8 says they in the flesh cannot please you, and God wants to please you. God, as we give our situations over to you and learn your ways, we thank you for doing more than we can even ask or think. We give you honor and praise in Jesus’ name! Amen.