Has God ever called you to do something that didn’t make immediate sense? If so, you’re in good company. Consider the stories of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Mary—to name a few. Sometimes God calls individuals to serve in a specific capacity, at a specific time, and for a specific purpose. Luke 5 provides us with one such example.
Jesus was teaching a crowd near the lake of Gennesaret. The crowd was pressing tightly against Him, so to address the issue, Jesus got into a boat belonging to Simon Peter and asked the fisherman to push out from shore. From the boat, Jesus continued to teach the multitudes (v. 3).
When He finished, Jesus turned to Simon and said: “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (v. 4). This command contradicted Simon’s experience and professional knowledge. He and his men were exhausted; they had fished unsuccessfully all night long. Simon also knew that fishing during the day was not effective, so he honestly expressed his concerns (v. 5). Yet, Jesus’ instruction was less about fishing and more about trusting. Jesus was testing Simon’s belief in His authority, and Simon pushed through his doubt. He told Jesus, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets.” He obeyed—not because the command made sense, but because the speaker deserved honor.
The resulting catch overwhelmed the nets and the men. The miracle confirmed the word already spoken. Simon responded by falling at Jesus’ feet, calling Him “Lord,” and confessing his sinfulness. Encountering Jesus’ identity always brings clarity about who He is and who we are. In response to Simon’s humble declaration, Jesus called him to an even greater vocation. “From now on you will fish for people” (v. 10).
Go Deeper
Is God calling you to something unexpected? Maybe, like Simon, you feel unsure. Will you say, “Because you say so” and obey?
Pray with Us
Show us what You are calling us to do because You say so, Father. When we do not understand, help us trust in You. We know You are worthy of our obedience.
Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.Luke 5:5
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 