Daily Manna 28 January
MEMORY VERSE: Luke 5:4 – “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
READ: Luke 5:1-11
1. 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,
2. And saw two ships standing by the lake; but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5. 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.
6. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their net brake.
7. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken;
10. 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.
11. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
Charles H. Spurgeon told the story of his first student who walked up to him and complained that he had been preaching for several months without recording a single conversion. “And do you expect,” said Mr Spurgeon, “that the Lord is going to bless you and save souls every time you open your mouth?” “No, sir,” he replied. “Well, then,” said Mr Spurgeon, “that is why you do not get souls saved. If you had believed, the Lord would have given the blessing.”
Peter believed Christ when He instructed him to launch out into the deep and let down the nets for a catch. The result of his faith and obedience was “great multitude of fishes”. They had toiled all night – with all their professional skill – but caught nothing. This was at the Sea of Galilee (here called the Lake of Gennesaret). A vast multitude of people had gathered to listen to Christ by the seaside because there was no public facility that could accommodate such crowd. Peter volunteered his fishing boat in which Christ stood to minister to the people and in return got this miracle of draught of fishes.
Like Peter, we can go from drought (lack) to a draught of desired blessings. But we must first be willing to lay our all on the altar of sacrifice for the Lord. If Peter begrudged Christ the use of his boat, he would have missed the great catch. Also, we labour in vain when we rely only on our own wisdom, experience, strength and talent (especially in ministry). We must learn to act at God’s word and the Spirit’s prompting – even when it seems unreasonable in the circumstance.
In addition, disappointments and failures should not deter us from taking steps when God prompts us. No matter how discouraged you have been to have toiled in vain, resolve, like Peter: “…nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Faith in God’s faithfulness forestalls failures and frustration.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 39-40
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – When Drought Becomes “Draught” – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 28 January 2021
