“Because Jesus Said So” - Girlfriends in God - March 23, 2015

March 23, 2015
“Because Jesus Said So”
Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“Sir, we’ve fished all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, we’ll do it” (Luke 5:5 NIV 1989 version, emphasis added).

Friend to Friend

“Because I say so!” I cringe just writing those words! How many times did you hear them as a kid? How many times have you said them as an adult? How many times has God said them to you?

One day Jesus said those words to Peter and John. Not exactly word for word, but that’s what He meant.

See, Peter and John had been on the open sea casting their ropes and hauling in empty nets all night. Other than algae, seaweed, and a few bits of trash, their nets had brought in nothing. No fish. No income. No food to feed the hungry mouths that depended on them back at home.

As the sun made its way over the horizon, the discouraged men washed their nets on the shore. Then Jesus, the carpenter and teacher, followed by a hungry crowd, asked to use their boat as a platform.

He got in Peter’s boat, pushed away from the shore a bit, and began to teach the crowds sitting along the beach. When He had finished teaching, He turned to Peter. “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).

I can just hear Peter now: “Good grief, John. Do you hear that guy? We’ve been fishing all night and caught nothing. Then here comes this country carpenter telling us how to do our job. He doesn’t know the first thing about fishing. Real fishermen don’t even fish during the daytime. We fish at night. We’re the professionals here. But I’ll be polite.”

“Sir, we’ve fished all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, we’ll do it” (Luke 5:5).

Good decision.

Peter and John rowed away from the shore and hoisted the freshly cleaned nets one more time. Just then, the God of the universe who created the fish and the seas whistled for the schools of fish to head for the nets. The fish filled the nets like teenagers pouring into a rock concert.

Peter and John must have laughed. I would have. The catch was so large that the nets began to break. They couldn’t even contain all the fish.

Exceedingly abundantly more than they could have ever asked or imagined. Abundant. Lavish. Extravagant. A sudden glory!

Can you just imagine the size of their eyes, the drop of their jaws, the strain of their muscles as they pulled in the blessing? Not only were Peter and John blessed because of their obedience, they called their friends in to enjoy their bounty as well.

Oh the moments of sudden glory that fill our nets when we live and move and have our being in obedience to the One who loves us most.

“Because you say so…”

Notice what Peter did after he hauled in the miraculous catch. He left it all behind and followed Jesus to become a fisher of men.

That was the real catch of the day. Oh how silly we are to think that the true riches are simply financial gain. Peter had financial gain with this incredible catch, and yet he left it all behind to follow the God who pursued and caught his heart.

“Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” It was a simple request—nothing earthshattering.

Peter had no idea that obeying Jesus would lead to such an all-encompassing life-changing experience. Our little acts of obedience may do the same.

Don’t look for the seemingly big showy acts of obedience to get your name in heavenly lights. People might be impressed, but God won’t be. Look for, listen for, and watch for the daily responses to His nudges—opportunities for sudden glory all.

Let’s Pray
Lord, help me to be quick to obey Your gentle nudges even though I may not understand them. Help me to obey Your Word…because You say so. Thank You for the many opportunities You give me to pull in miraculous catches. I pray I won’t miss them because I think I know better.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
What would have happened if Peter and John had disregarded Jesus’ instruction to throw the nets in one more time?

Is there something in your life that God has asked you to do, that you have been reluctant to do, because it didn’t make sense to you?

If so, what do you need to do about it?

If you want to be radically obedient and ridiculously blessed, click over to my Facebook page and leave a comment that says, “I’m going to obey God and do what He calls me to do!”

More from the Girlfriends

Do you long to feel close to God but sense there’s something missing? That you’ve missed that mysterious formula to make it happen? Do you have a glory ache–a persistent longing to experience God’s presence and working in your life, but you’re not quite sure how to make it happen? If so, my book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is just for you. Join me and discover how to erase the lines between the secular and the sacred to experience a deeper, more intimate relationship with God than ever before. While you’re there, you can download a free chapter or watch a video book trailer.