So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" --Luke 5:1-8
To My Daughters,
Peter humored Jesus by launching out into the deep and letting down his nets...Put yourself in Peter's place for a moment. He had just finished an entire night of fishing where he had caught nothing. The text tells us that he had already cleaned his nets. Peter was, I am sure, ready to go home and get some sleep! Instead, he does what Jesus tells him.
This is the moment that Peter saw Jesus for who He really was...the Messiah of Israel...the Son of God! Here is the verse that spoke to my heart ...When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
Peter "saw" Jesus that day. I remember when I first "saw" Jesus. It was kind of like the day I was able to "see" those 3D puzzles...it was like I got new eyes. Psalm 36:9 says For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Peter was now seeing things through the right lenses and in seeing Jesus for who He really was Peter saw himself for who he really was. A SINFUL MAN. The light of Jesus brought conviction to Peter's soul. If we really see Jesus, we will also see ourselves for who we really are and truly understand our need for a Savior and a Lord.
Ask God for the eyes to see Him this way each and every day. Peter had already seen many miracles. For some reason, however, a fish filled net is what opened his eyes. I think it is because it became personal...He saw that Jesus cared personally for him...his day to day existence...his day to day needs. This is still what touches my heart and opens my eyes daily as I remember how Jesus pulled me up from the miry clay, set my feet upon a rock and gave me not only eternal life but opened my eyes to understand His word which has enabled me to walk with His wisdom and grow in His grace. I was at the end of myself when I asked the Lord into my heart. I was tired of trying to run my life. Nothing I did worked. The rules and philosophy of the world kept changing...I had no solid ground....all I did well was to "sink". I knew as Psalm 94:11 says that my own thoughts were futile. His truth at that point became the treasure I sought daily whose light I have coveted to guide my life...I end this devotional as I ended yesterday's...
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Scripture is God-breathed... it is our armory...it is our haven....we need nothing more. In its light we see HIM!
Love
Mom
