Because God Says So

In Luke 5:4-5 I read, “When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’” (NIV)

As a follower of Jesus, he expects me to obey whatever he tells me to do, even if it appears foolish to other people, even if it doesn’t make sense financially, and even if I don’t understand it and am scared to death.

Luke 5:4-5 says, “When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’” (NIV).

Jesus had stepped into Simon Peter’s boat. But he didn’t stop there. He also started giving this professional fisherman instructions on how to fish!

Notice Peter’s reaction. He didn’t argue with Jesus. He didn’t say, “Excuse me, Lord. You’re a carpenter. I’m a fisherman. And those fish aren’t biting! Who are you to tell me how to do my job?”

And he didn’t hesitate. When Jesus told him to launch the boat, he didn’t say, “Why don’t we think about this for a minute? Let’s form a committee and vote on it” or “We’re pretty dirty and tired here, Lord. How about we try again this afternoon?”

What did Peter do? He responded to Jesus with unquestioned obedience.

Disobedience will always hurt me because I miss God’s blessing.

But if I become a “because God says so” man, I’ll get to experience all of his blessings. His instructions do not have to make sense to me. When God says so, I just need to do it, trusting him in faith.

I can trust God because he always has my best interests in mind, even if I can’t see it right away.

In summary, when Jesus asks me to do something I need to do it, because he says so. As a follower of Jesus, he expects me to obey whatever he tells me to do, even if it appears foolish to others, even if it doesn’t make sense financially, and even if I don’t understand it and or I’m scared to death about it. Jesus had stepped into Simon Peter’s boat. But he didn’t stop there. He also started giving this professional fisherman instructions on how to fish! Peter didn’t argue. He didn’t say, “Excuse me, you’re a carpenter. I’m a fisherman. Those fish aren’t biting! Who are you to tell me how to do my job? He didn’t hesitate or say, “why don’t we think about this”, or “let’s form a committee and vote on it” or “we’re pretty dirty and tired here, how about we try later. Instead he responded to Jesus with unquestioned obedience. Disobedience will always hurt me because I miss God’s blessing. If I become a “because God says so” man, I’ll get to experience all of his blessings. His instructions do not have to make sense to me at the time. When God says so, I just need to do it, trusting him in faith. I can trust God because he always has my best interests in mind, even if I can’t see it right away.

Peter’s example gives me something to learn from. I often tend to question or put off things that Jesus tells me to do. What’s really clear today is missing the blessings that come from my disobedience. Father, with the help of your Holy Spirit within me, I want to become a “yes” man. Father I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.