But because you say so

But because you say so, I will... ~ Luke 5:5

Picture this: You are working at your job or career--which is the same thing your father did before you and his father before him--when a man you don't know walks up to you and offers his advice. How would you take it? Most people wouldn't. Some might smile and nod, but not take the advice. Others might yell at him for offering the advice. So what would you do? Let's look at the story of Simon Peter, the fisherman. He and his men had been working all night, to no avail, and were tired. Jesus entered the scene, taught a little bit to all who were in earshot, and then offered this advice to Peter, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch," (Luke 5:4).

At this juncture, Peter had two choices; he could either take the advice or decline it. Now, Peter and his men were tired, but having heard Jesus teach, he could probably sense that there was more to this man, even if he couldn't explain it. So at Jesus' request, Peter replied, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets," (v 5).

We are all faced with situations we can't handle or do anything about. They are times that leave us tired and worn out. And just before we've completely given up, Jesus says to us, "Follow where I lead. Listen to what I say." When we hear Him speak to us like that, we have to make a choice: Listen and follow, Go my own way. When we listen and follow, we are giving Him our obedience and then the final results are His responsibility. It seems so simple: follow and obey, but when it comes down to it, you feel so torn. You're torn because these are what all the medical tests say; all the experts are saying the same thing; it doesn't make logical financial sense to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit; the checkbook is black and white... But Jesus said, "Follow me." The Bible spells it out like this: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well," (Matthew 6:33). If we listen and obey, if we follow God, there is no limit to what He can do in our lives!

When they had [let down their nets], they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled 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 5:6-7