ESOCS Devotional 30 December
TEXT: LUKE 5:1-14
MEMORY VERSE: “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.” Luke 5:5 KJV
Most times, people who come to God only do so to receive what their heart desires are; and oftentimes, bombarding God with their problems, in the name of prayer. But how less often do people come to God with a genuine heart of service.
This ought not to be as we can deduce from the miracle of the bumper fish harvest. Peter and his colleagues (expert fishermen), relying on their skill and human ability, but without considering God first, toiled all night without a catch. But when Jesus met them in the morning, He demanded to use their boat for the purpose of teaching and preaching the gospel, and to which they consented (v 3).
At the end of the ministration, Jesus, desirous to manifest the power and authority of the one who did the teaching, instructed them to “launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (v 4b). There was initial reluctance, but at the word of the Master, they obeyed, for the word of Christ will always come to pass (Ps. 33:9). The miracle of the copious catch was so evident that it impacted on the minds of the beholders, as described in verses 8-9. And such is the nature of true miracles, as distinct from false magical shows.
However, as we see in verses 10-11, Jesus’ intention was beyond the economic or commercial aspects of fisheries, but that the disciples should get ready and look forward to catching men for the kingdom. The other lesson here is that those who invest in God’s business first, should look forward to bumper harvests in all spheres of life.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
Would you rather invest in God’s business first, and get blessed later, or ask for breakthrough first, and then service?
PRAYER POINT
Lord my God, grant me the grace of service first. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Ecclesiastes 7:1-12; 8:1-8; Luke 5:15-24
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ESOCS Devotional 30 December
