Friday March 21

Numbers 32:1-33:39

Like 4:31-5:11

Psalm 64:1-10

Proverbs 11:22

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish." "Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm too much of a sinner to be around you."  For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.  His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon,  "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

~ Luke 5:4-11

I get the feeling that Simon Peter doubted Jesus here. He had fished all night and didn't catch anything. When Jesus told him to go out again, it seems to me that he didn't really believe that anything would happen... but he obeyed anyway. He did what Jesus told him to do and despite what he may have believe beforehand, Jesus provided them with a boatload of fish! Simon Peter repented of his sins, left everything behind and followed Jesus. Then Jesus used him in great and mighty ways for the Kingdom of God. And it all started with this doubting yet obeying fisherman.

Sometimes it's so hard to believe God. Our human perspective and worry and sin gets in our way and we can find ourselves doubting Him. But if we say to God, "I have a hard time believing You right now, but I'm going to be obedient to You anyway," then I believe He will do the same thing for you that He did for Peter. He will change your unbelief into belief and He will bless you and He will use you in mighty ways for His Kingdom. 

God knows that we are not perfect. He knows that we don't see things from His perspective. He knows we get in our own way a lot of times. But if we show that we are committed to Him, He will help us overcome any obstacle in our way.