Whether we realize it or not, we ALL have a Safety Net. Peter can be used as an example from Scripture to help us realize what ours may be. In Luke 5:1-11, the Bible tells of the Lord going to preach on the Lake of Gennesaret. The fishermen, Peter, James, and John were out of their boats, cleaning their NETS. No doubt seaweed and other debris would have made their way into the nets after a long night of fishing. They took great care of these nets to keep them in operating order.Their nets where the main thing they depended on for catching their fish. Without them, they would have nothing to bring the fish in with. They gave GREAT DETAIL AND CARE to those nets for their lively hood. What do we give great detail and attention to in our lives? It could be money, jobs, or even OURSELVES! These things in and of themselves are not bad or wrong, BUT it all depends on how we USE THEM, and if we are TRUSTING IN THEM! "Trust in THE LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding."Proverbs 3:5. Our main dependence should be in the Lord and NOT the accessories He provides us with, or our own abilities.
The Lord knew what the fisherman's "safety nets" were. After He preached on the water from their ships, He told Peter to" launch out into the deep, and LET DOWN YOUR NETS for a draught." vs. 4. Peter responded with telling the Lord they had been fishing all night and had caught NOTHING. Peter was placing more STOCK, or trust, in the net and his own ability, than trusting the Lord. BUT, He said "nevertheless" I will let down the net. This choice of word showed a half-hearted obedience of Peter. He did it with an attitude of "I already tried this, but oh well, I'll do it again." He wasn't depending on the Lord's ability to provide the need, but on his own knowledge and ability from years of experience of fishing. We should do all things IN FAITH TOWARD GOD, and not our "safety net." "But without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb.11:6. WE need to obey with an attitude of Faith. The Lord then gave them a miracle draught, or multitude of fish!!! But, the net broke!!!! The Lord SEVERED the safety net they were depending on to show them that HE WAS THE SOURCE of the blessing, not the net! The Lord will do the same with us. He will remove the net we are depending on to show us what we really are trusting in! It could be a job that we have lost, home, car, or even our health if we are depending on our own abilities. He discerns our thoughts and intents of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12) and KNOWS what we are REALLY relying on, EVEN if WE DON'T REALIZE IT! Sometimes the Lord removed the net to wake us up!
Lastly, when Peter saw that the Net was severed, but they still received the miracle of fish, he was humbled. After a half-hearted obedience to the Lord, now he was in full SUBMISSION. "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." vs. 8. Peter was submitted but still didn't realize that the Lord wanted to use him, not abuse him! He didn't brake the net to hurt Peter, but to HELP PETER, and to get him to a place spiritually that He could use him for His work! Jesus then told Peter, "..Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men." vs. 10. Mark 4:20 says, " And straightway LEFT THEIR NETS, and followed Him." He bowed to the Master's will and gave up his dependence on worldly things and self and submitted to the leadership of the Lord and FULL RELIANCE on Him ALONE.
What is our SAFETY NET today? Are we still putting STOCK in it or the Saviour? Has the Lord SEVERED it, or do we need to? Lord help us today to be in SUBMISSION to the Lord and depending on HIM ALONE! "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: BUT WE WILL REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD." Psalm 20:7. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD IS." Jeremiah 17:7
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