BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE
Remember how quickly Peter was obedient in last chapter? Now, let’s peer back into the story and see the blessings that his obedience brought.
Lk 5:6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
Lk 5:7 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.
Lk 5:8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
Lk 5:9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,
Lk 5:10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”
Lk 5:11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Wow! Let’s back up a minute. Remember what Peter said?
Lk 5:4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.Lk 5:5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
And it was after they let down the nets that both boats were filled with fish.
Blessings of obedience do not come without first being obedient. Success occurs at the moment of obedience. This is where, at the exact moment, your Spirit catches a sense of the potential, hope, & power of what is going on spiritually. Even though you cannot see it physically you “know.” You have a “knowing” that you cannot explain. You are being led by something you cannot understand, fully. It’s God within you, leading you in His will, His plan, and His purpose! Don’t apply logic to it; it will wrap itself around your neck and choke out the blessing of obedience that God has for you. People may think you are nuts. After all, Simon had been fishing all night, why would there suddenly be an overflowing amount of fish when just prior to Jesus telling him to cast his nets on the other side, there was none?
Isn’t that how it typically works? What God is asking and whispering to you makes no earthly sense and yet, you “know to obey.” It is at this moment that standing firm is essential for all that God has for you is at stake! You must persevere in obedience, despite nay sayers or your own internal doubt, in order to receive it! You see, all of the “knowing” you are experiencing and all the obstacles you are facing point to something very profound! God is powerfully using you for the good of others.
Jesus was calling Peter to be a disciple. He was calling him to be a microphone for the kingdom. There were as many (actually many more) lost souls surrounding Peter as there were now fish in his boat. Yes, being obedient is halfway about what God has for you, but it’s bigger than just you. Whatever He does through you (for the good of others), ultimately, He does for you. Immediate obedience was the exact moment of Simon’s success.
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her recently founded Share & Company Publishing House http://seymourkristina.wix.
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.