(Luke 5:1-11 NIV) One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, {2} he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. {3} He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. {4} When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” {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.” {6} When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. {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. {8} When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” {9} For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, {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.” {11} So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
If we want a breakthrough in our life, we need to seek God’s direction
{4} When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” {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.” {6} When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
The fishermen fished all night but caught nothing. It was only when they heard the instructions of Jesus to fish at the deeper end that they caught so many fishes. Jesus gave the fishermen the breakthrough they needed when He walked into their situation.
If we continue to do the same thing, we may get the same results. In order to get different results, we may need to do different things or do things differently. But how should we change? We need direction from God.
If we want a breakthrough in our life, we need to obey God’s instructions
{4} When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” {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.” {6} When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
When God had revealed to us what needs to be done, do we obey Him? Simon was tempted not to. He had good reason not to obey because he had already fished all night and caught nothing. But he did. And what a difference that makes. He caught so much fish the nets were going to break.
The presence of God should fill us with awe
{8} When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
When Simon saw the miracle Jesus had done, he was filled with awe. So much so that he did not think a sinful man like him should associate with the Lord.
If we are not filled with awe for our Lord, it is a sure indication that we do not know Him well enough.