Overcoming Fear Day 8
WEEK 2 DEVOTIONAL
FISHERS OF MEN
On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:1-11
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
When Simon saw the miracle that Jesus performed, he fell at His feet and told him to leave because he was a sinner. Jesus didn’t respond to Simon and tell him that his sins were forgiven. He didn’t tell Simon to stop looking at himself that way and boost his self-esteem. He just said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Simon and his partners responded to Jesus words by just leaving everything and following Jesus. Simon’s awareness of his sin, probably his shame, told him to push Jesus away but Jesus accepted Simon right where he was at, a sinner. Not only did He accept him, right then and right there, He told him what he was called to do.
PRAYER:
Lord, so many times I’ve felt that my sins, my failings, my inabilities, etc. disqualify me from ministering to others, from doing what You’ve called me to do. In shame, I have rejected You or what You are saying; I have pushed You away. I repent for_____________________________. You don’t look at me that way at all. Your blood washes me completely clean. My abilities or inabilities don’t matter because it’s You that ministers through me. You are the one who called me. Because You called me and You empower me, I am qualified.
Lord, You saw Simon as fully capable of following You and ministering to others. How do You see me?