In the fifth chapter of Luke, we find Jesus in Simon’s fishing boat teaching a crowd along the edge of Lake Gennesaret. The boat was empty. No fish had been caught, and the fishermen were likely discouraged. After teaching the people, Jesus turned to Simon and said, “…‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch’” (Luke 5:4 NIV1984).
Simon responded, “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). Simon was a bit skeptical. After all, fishing was his profession. Like the others, he was exhausted and ready to call it a day. Since he knew the lake well, he probably thought Jesus, being a carpenter, wouldn’t know much about fishing. He figured it would be pointless to try again after such a fruitless night. He could have made other excuses, but out of respect for Jesus’ authority as a teacher, he agreed, saying, “Because you say so, I will.” His faith and obedience were rewarded with a net-breaking catch of fish. This event changed the lives of Peter, James, and John. They left everything behind and chose to follow Jesus, becoming fishers of men.
Throughout the Bible, we read about instances where God’s commands seemed illogical, impossible, and even frightening. Yet, when obeyed, there was always victory. Abraham left his country, his people, and his father’s household to go to a land he knew nothing about. Why? Because the Lord told him to do so (Gen. 12:4). His obedience blessed all humanity.
And Noah? Because of the great wickedness on the earth, God was going to send a flood to destroy every living thing. He commissioned Noah to build an ark. This most likely seemed like an impossible task to him, but he obeyed and “did everything just as God commanded him” (Gen. 6:22).
Another time, God commanded the Israelites to attack Jericho. They were told to march around the city for seven days, and then, with a long blast on the trumpets and a loud shout by the people, the walls of Jericho would fall. It might not have made sense to them, but obeying God brought victory.
Think of Gideon. God called him to save Israel from the Midianites, but he had doubts. He asked, “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). Despite his initial doubts, he obeyed God, and the Midianites were defeated (Judges 6-8). God’s plans always produce miraculous results.
Because God’s ways are higher than ours, His commands sometimes seem difficult to follow. He said we are to forgive those who offend us, pray for our enemies, turn the other cheek when wronged, pray for our leaders, or simply “go where I send you.” We offer excuses: “I’m not qualified,” “I’m not a good speaker,” “I’m afraid He will send me to a foreign land.” God understands our doubts and fears, but everything He asks of us is for our benefit. We don’t have to understand His plan for our lives; We are to just trust and obey. Immediate obedience will lead to outcomes greater than we think possible. God is the one “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20).
Releasing all our fears and excuses as we start a new year, may our response to God always be, “because you say so, I will.” Have a blessed New Year!
