Are you washing your nets?

Why would fishermen wash nets that hadn’t been used? The answer is they were quitting because of an overnight problem. ‘We have fished all night and caught nothing’ (see v. 5). Their expectations had been destroyed. They believed that the way things were was the way they’d be. They were beaten! That’s when Jesus showed up. He came to where they were; He walked right into the middle of their disappointment with a solution. First, He asked them for their boat and used it to preach to the crowd and heal the multitudes. Child of God, turn everything over to Him – all you have, all you are, and all you’ll ever be – and let Him use you for His highest purposes. Next, He gave them a word that only faith could receive: ‘Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught’ (Luke 5:4 KJV). Can you see now why He has to wait until you’ve done everything you know to do? Only then are you ready to listen; even though His Word doesn’t seem to make sense, you’re ready to obey without question. Are you discouraged today? Is it your ministry, your marriage, your job, or your health? You may be washing your nets, but it’s not over. Who told you God wasn’t going to bless you again? Who told you He wasn’t going to bring victory out of your ashes? It’s not over until He says it’s over. If He can fill empty nets for those discouraged disciples, then you don’t have a problem He can’t take care of.© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.