“He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore…” – Luke 5:3 (NIV)
Luke Chapter 5:1-11 tells us about two men in a situation, one on a successful mission and the other on a failed mission. One has a multitude, and the other has an empty boat. Both of them were at Lake Gennesaret. Here is Jesus with a large group of people, and the other, Simon, with an empty boat. Can failure and success converge?
Between these two events, a solid foundation that resonates to this day was laid. Jesus uses Peter’s failed mission to carry out His divine mission successfully. Jesus took that same boat with no fish and with a disappointed fisherman who felt like he had failed, and used it successfully. Sometimes, as parents, we think we fail a particular test or situation, but Jesus can take what we consider failure in our lives and use it for positive change. It is not the end once Jesus comes around. He can take our perceived failure and start something fresh in our lives.
Today, a parent with an ‘empty boat’ is frustrated and wondering why they are not making it. That same Jesus who took the platform of Simon’s empty boat and used it for His success can take that empty situation in your life and turn it into success for you today. Follow Jesus’ instructions and launch out again. It’s not over. Just believe!
Prayer
Father, we are encouraged by Your Scripture this morning as we read the encounter between Simon Peter and Jesus. Peter was so disappointed, thinking he had wasted his night. He thought there was no reward for his faithful labour – his boat was empty. But, Lord, we are grateful for Your instruction of ‘going out again.’ Help Your children this morning to step out in faith once again. Grant us vision, clarity, favour, and wisdom to be successful. Help us in every decision and turn every seemingly empty and dead circumstance into something fruitful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Isaiah 41:10; Luke 5:10-11
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 21:5-16; 2 Corinthians 1:23-24; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; 2 Chronicles 31:2-21; 2 Chronicles 32; 2 Chronicles 33:1-20