Luke 5:8

New King James Version

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

For Encouragement

A massive crowd gathered around Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Nearby, some frustrated fishermen, having spent an entire night with no catch, were mending their nets. To separate himself from the throngs, Jesus borrowed a boat from Simon, one of the fishermen, and taught from it. After addressing the crowd, He directed His focus to Simon, who had seen no success that night. 

“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch,” Jesus said (4).

Earlier in John 1:35-42, Andrew introduced Simon, his brother, to Jesus, who gave him the name Peter, meaning “a stone” (41-42). Now Jesus tells Peter to do the impossible. How could they succeed in the daytime when they had failed all night to catch any fish? Simon Peter exercised faith nonetheless and said:

“Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net” (Lk. 5:5).

What followed was astonishing. Peter and his crew experienced an overwhelming catch, so abundant that their net was breaking, causing a call for help to bring it in. The Shekinah glory of the Lord broke forth, and Peter saw his sinfulness before the Holy, and he fell at Jesus’ feet in worship.

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (8).

What was fish to Simon Peter and his partners after the revealing of the Lord’s glory in the miracle? At Jesus’ call to discipleship, they left everything and followed Jesus (10-11).

Sometimes we find ourselves in precarious situations. Nothing works for us, and all our efforts prove fruitless. Disappointment sets in, and we scratch our heads to figure out what we could have done differently. How do we respond to somebody in need? In our anger and frustration, how open are we to strange suggestions? 

Life is not about our knowledge, skill, wisdom, or anything we have. The time of day or season is irrelevant. Our emotions, connections, and expectations hold no weight. What matters is our faith in His existence, power, authority, and sovereignty. It’s about trusting and obeying the One who can turn our mourning into dancing (Psa. 30:11). We only trust and obey.

Yes, you have a need, and the Lord knows and can give you more than you ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). But remember, the focus should be on witnessing His glory and understanding its impact on your life: the uplifting of your spirit, the transformation He begins, the new season He invites you into, and the lasting fruitfulness for eternity. That is what the Lord seeks to do in your life every time in everything.

When Jesus has met the need you craved, you will realize that you may not need it after all, because He is your ultimate sufficiency, and His offer is the best for your life—the reason Peter and the others left everything and followed Jesus.

Pray with Me

Help us, O Lord, to trust you, even when we do not understand, and to obey everything you tell us to do, not for the sake of what we will get from it, but that you will reveal your glory in what you do that has the power to transform our lives. Take everything from us and give us what is helpful for the advancement of your kingdom agenda. We thank you, Lord Holy Spirit, for your power and total ministry in us that makes all things possible in Christ Jesus, our Lord, amen.

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