Dear Ones:
There are times when the Lord tells us: “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.” (Is. 54:12) The Christ who told the disciples to, “…Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught (catch of fish)… (Luke 5:4) was the same Christ that told Isaiah to pen the words concerning the enlarging of the tent. Both commands have to do with “capacity, volume,” something bigger. The question is: “Are we of the attitude of mind and heart that readily responds to that which may not be feasible or “logical?” In both instances, there is a clear word from the Lord to the heart. And in both instances there is a reward of faith.
When Simon heard the request of the Lord to launch out, he put before the Lord certain “logical inconveniences.” “Master, we have toiled ALL the night, and have taken NOTHING.” Here is a tired man who has spent his energy “all night” on fruitless endeavor. However, there is something in Jesus’ words that captures his attention, and draws him out to act on those words. “…nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.” (v. 5) The result of Simon’s obedience is that a great multitude of fish would be caught, so great in fact that Simon would fall down at Jesus’ knees and declare: “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (v.8) Simon, along with his partners, would recognize the “impossibility” of such an event, that it of necessity had its origin in God. They would then forsake all to follow Christ, believing the words, “…henceforth thou shalt catch men.” (v.10) Thus, in one day, at one time, in response to a simple word to launch out into the deep “at the word” of the Lord, the lives of Simon and his partners would forever be changed, and also we might add, the history of the world, for their role would be integral in the changing of it.
Are we those who are so trusting in Christ, and sensitive to His voice, that we respond to His word over the overtures of “human logic?” Sometimes the Lord desires to take us there. But let us remember that He ALWAYS has a plan and purpose, and that with every command, there is a promise…a promise that his word “…shall not return unto Him void, but it shall accomplish that which I please…it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Is. 55:11)
Love, Dad