Probably everyone reading this meditation has experienced failure. Some failures can be very serious, but failure can also be a stepping stone to success.
In Luke 5:1-11, we read about a time when Peter experienced failure. He and his friends had been fishing all night and caught nothing.
“One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee,[a] great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon,[b] its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on, you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.”
Peter was a professional fisherman. He did it for a living. He probably had a boat, the best nets, and he knew exactly where to catch the best fish. Even the most gifted and experienced are at times faced with failure.
Satan wants us to feel like failures, that we will never succeed.
The next day, after Peter and his friends didn’t catch anything, they were washing their nets on the seashore. Jesus came along and said, “Peter, I’d like to use your boat from which I can deliver a message to the people.” So, Peter invited Jesus into his boat, and Jesus gave His message. When he was done, He encouraged Peter to launch out into the deep to catch some fish. Peter responded, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again,” and this time the nets were so full they began to break, so they called for another boat. Both boats were so full, it seemed as though they might sink. What lessons do we learn from these accounts that might help when we fail?
Note: We have two different fishing trips. In the first, the disciples fished all night and caught nothing. In the second, they let down their nets and in ten minutes they caught more than they ever had before. I believe one of the lessons we learn from this account is that our Lord is interested in our success.
In Psalm 37:4, we read, “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Our Heavenly Father wants us to be successful in our personal lives, family, life, marriage, all of our relationships, and spiritual growth.
– The first thing we need to do is invite Christ into our lives. He wants to come in and is just waiting for us to invite Him in. Peter listened to Jesus and invited Him into his boat.
For Revelation 3:20, NLT, Jesus is standing at the door of a church, and He says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you listen to my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” We need to appropriate God’s presence in our lives. He wants to sit on the throne of your life. Have you invited Him in?
Peter gave Jesus access to his boat and also his business. Jesus used Peter’s business as a platform for ministry. Peter allowed Jesus to use his boat for our Lord’s purposes. After Jesus delivered His message to the crowd, He took care of Peter’s needs. What a wonderful Lord we have.
– The next thing that grips my attention is our need to align ourselves with God’s plan. In Luke 5:4, we read about the second time they went fishing. It was under our Lord’s direction. They did as He instructed them. They cooperated with His plan for their lives. We must do the same. In Proverbs 3:1-6, NLT, we read of the importance of trusting totally in the LORD and obeying His commands. When we do, we will be blessed.
“My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. 2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you. Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
– Paul, in Romans 8:28 NLT wrote, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” What assurance we have that when we invite Christ into our lives and do things His way, we will be blessed. When Christ is guiding our lives, we cannot fail. Peter didn’t argue with Jesus. He seems eager to cooperate with God’s plan.
– Next, we need to anticipate God’s promises.
In Luke 5:5, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, we worked hard, all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I will let the nets down again.” Peter expected Jesus to act, and He did. Peter had spent enough time with Jesus that he knew the Lord’s guidance could be trusted.
When you have God’s presence in your life, and you get God’s plan in your heart and head, and embrace His promises in your heart, you can expect great things from God.
As I close this meditation, there is something else I want to share with you. Peter received more than his boat could handle, so they called for another boat, and it was filled too.
We read that in Luke 5:7, the point here is that God wants to bless others through you. When we do that, our boat, or life, will not sink. Jubilee sees this through our Benevolence Ministry and Mission’s Program. We can bless others because our people share what God has given to us. Jesus wants us to be fishers of men, sharing His good news with others, so that they, too, will be blessed and can pass it on.
I hope these principles will help you to be successful in every aspect of your life, and you will give the glory to God.
In Him, Pastor Leonard
