Launch Out Into the Deep

"And it came to pass that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret.

And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were on the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon, And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him" (Luke 5:1-11).

Jesus gave Simon a specific order and instructed him to launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. He is also talking to the other fishermen/disciples as well. Simon answered, Master, we have toiled or worked all night, and have not caught anything. He began to speak the problem before catching himself and realizing who he was talking to, the God of answers. He then replied, nevertheless at your word, I will let down the net. He didn't wait to see the catch first, he believed Jesus' words first, then he witnessed the fulfillment of His words. Reluctantly, yet assuredly did he believe and changed his tune to be in harmony. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Truly the words of Jesus produced and always will produce results. There is a lesson spilling out of this account, and it is teaching me to believe His words and experience the results of faith in action.

The Apostle Peter began to speak the problem, and not the solution. This is a lesson for me, how about you? How many times have we been faced with problems, and exalt them over what God's Word is telling us? We are learning, and we are being taught how to exalt God over all of the problems we face and not the problems over God, problems will never win.

It is interesting and inspiring to see this play out in Scripture. Peter said, Master we have toiled all night, and we have not caught one fish. Then he catches himself, and declares nevertheless at Your word I will do it. Isn't that what we must do to launch out into the deep things of God. Reminding ourselves who is speaking and align our words with His. It is always good to catch oneself when dealing with dirty ole doubt and emerge with the faith it takes to believe God's Word. Word over problems.

"Nevertheless" when spoken to God should always be accompanied by, at Your word, I will! Simon later acknowledged his sin and repented, of questioning Jesus, saying that he was a sinful man and asking the Lord to depart from him on bended knees.

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch was Simon Peter's and the other disciples instruction from Jesus. It was not only a natural directive, but it carried spiritual and prophetic substance as well.

After the launch came the abundant catch. Jesus later tells Simon, "do not be afraid, from now on you will catch men. Here is the voice of prophecy declaring the Apostle's destiny to catch men, and not merely fish. Jesus changes this natural scene to a figurative one and He prophesied too. Simon Peter is still catching men with the the Word of God today. The catch is exponential in the earth. Glory to God.

This account also brings to mind the High Priestly prayer of Jesus found in John 17:20, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word: Jesus asked the Father in this prayer not just for the disciples, but all who would believe the disciples word. We are the result of this prayer being answered. We believe in Jesus because of the disciples and apostles words. I came into faith by believing what the beloved John had penned in John 3:16, centuries ago. The encounter with this verse called faith forth to believe that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, and if I believed in Him that I would not perish but have everlasting life. What a consolation and joy filled my soul that day, but it was the words of John the beloved that birthed my faith and the result of the prayer Jesus prayed and prophesied that of us which shall believe on Him through the disciples words. Yes, the disciples and apostles are fishers of men to date. Now that's a legacy, to still be fishing long after you are gone. Glory to God the Father and to His Christ.

Jesus changes the subject from catching fish to catching men. He was prophesying over Simon and using his own line of work as a (fisherman) to drive His point home, which is salvation of men. The Peter in the Book of Acts is not the same as the one who was being disciplined by the Lord Jesus in this episode.

You would have to marvel when you get from the Gospel of Luke to the Book of Acts, and see the newborn again Peter; sent to feed the lambs, and sheep, launching out into the deep things of God and teaching men and women. Not the one who denied Christ three times. Suddenly that Peter has disappeared into thin air, and has vanished, poof. Hallelujah!

I am absolutely certain that the old you, and me has disappeared as well, and that the new born again you and I in Christ Jesus is transforming and emerging with the providence of God as well. We are being taught the same thing, launch out into the deep. We must qualify deep for ourselves and be ready to let down our nets for the catch at anytime. Of course, not being a fisherman by trade, we will need a little more than the Apostle Peter to identify, and qualify the deep. The deep is the world globally, it is wherever your sphere or reach may be. Brighten the corner where you are placed. Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

This story provides us with counsel, instruction, and when we follow the will of God and we do not lean to our own understanding He directs us. Circumstances and obstacles are no match for God, because all things are possible when we believe.

These disciples had been at it all night, and had caught nothing until Jesus showed up and changed the scenario. This is true for us too, until Jesus shows up we will be just like Peter, and have to remember, can two walk together accept they be agreed, and to go to God and reason it out with Him; which will only give us the same reply. At Your word I will. I am determined to listen to and obey Your Word.

Simon began to talk the problem, and Jesus spoke the solution, and he then agreed. Simon caught himself in the midst of this situation, and he received a new wind of thinking instantaneously, and concluded nevertheless at Your Word Lord, I will launch out into the deep and I will be successful. We can learn so much from all the biblical accounts we have been blessed with in Scripture. There are lessons everywhere in the Word of God, if we take heed to how and what we read, and hear.

How deep is God? You can't answer that! Launch out into the deep, study the Word of God, Pray always, yield to the Holy Spirit, yea, launch out into the deep! The Spirit searches all things, yea the deep things of God. Let the Spirit guide you. Glory to God!