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Jul 13, 2023 18:30pm

Don’t Give Up

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What if Thomas Edison had given up? If it took him 10,000 tries to get electricity to the light bulb, what if he had stopped at 9,999?

Surely, there would have been others that were attempting similar experiments and inventions, and one of them would have eventually gotten it. But, perhaps we wouldn’t have the power we have today. And maybe, just maybe, there was someone encouraging Edison to try just one more time.

Interesting thought.

As we continue our study of Luke, we find Jesus teaching by the lake of Gennesaret. But with so many people gathering to hear Him, it was hard for Him to speak to everyone.

Two ships were in the lake and one of them was Simon Peter’s. Jesus saw the men washing their nets after a long day of fishing. He boarded the ship and asked Peter to push off a little from the bank so more people could see and hear. From there, He continued His teaching. But it wasn’t just to the crowds on land. He was about to do something big for Peter and the fishermen.

“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
Luke 5:4

Jesus encouraged Peter to cast his net just one more time. Try again and see what you’ll catch.

“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.”

Can you hear the frustration in Peter’s voice? He’s resigned to the fact that there must not be any fish in the area. They have fished all day and haven’t caught even one! I’m sure in his mind he feels like he’s going to really show Jesus something. But in his response, we see something we too should follow.

“Nevertheless”.

It’s a simple word but holds great meaning.

Peter is saying no matter what I’ve already experienced or seen, I will still do this because you have said.

And what happens?

“And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”

What a tremendous catch! This was more than they could have imagined or hoped for! And it was all because of their obedience to Jesus to try one more time.

Friend, I know you feel like giving up. I know, because I have those same feelings some days. Things just aren’t working the way you thought. And you’re doing everything right!

But do you hear that small voice whispering, “Try again”?

When we obey God’s voice, He will greatly reward and bless us far more than we can think or imagine.

And Jesus had more in store for Peter and the others… far more than they could even begin to fathom.

Because He was about to flip their world upside down. No longer would they be fishing for fish…

“And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”

I can’t wait to dive in and unpack that!

See you tomorrow.