SUBMITTING TO GOD

Luke 5:5 "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."

In verse 4 of Luke 5, Jesus instructed Peter to launch out in the deep for a large catch of fish. In verse 5, which is our focus today, Peter responded, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing:"

Peter was a very experienced fisherman.   He was cognizant of the fact that most productive fishing was done at night.  When Jesus instructed Peter, it was daylight. Hence, Peter might have reasoned, since I have toiled all night and caught nothing, why would there be a catch now that it was day. Peter's reasoning seemed fair and logical. However, Peter knew the power of Jesus' word and the benefits that followed, when His word is obeyed.

As a result, Peter's response was,  Master, at Your word, I will do as you have said and I will my nets down again. The encounter between Peter and Jesus was a clear example of experience giving way to faith; and of man's limited knowledge submitting to God's Omnipotence.

There are so many times, when we are driven by our experience, while we put faith 'in the back seat'. On such occasions, we usually end up on a collision course.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Peter wanted to please Jesus and consequently, he set aside his experience and grabbed hold of faith. In our daily transaction, we need to allow God to guide us. We must endeavour to follow God's instructions unreservedly and willingly. Due to our limitations, there are times when experience will fail, but faith in God never fails.