Background Story: Jesus was walking along the Lake of Gennesaret also known as the Sea of Galilee when He speaks out to a simple fisherman named Simon Peter.

Read Luke 5: 1-11

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. ² He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

⁵ 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.”

⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Big Idea: Keep walking in faith in times of discouragement.

Ever wake up feeling like you’re going through the motions but not really making progress? I’m sure Peter felt that way. After a full night of fishing and utter exhaustion, Peter arrived back on the shore with nothing to show for it. Instead of patting him on the back and telling him it will get better soon, Jesus told Simon Peter to try again. You can almost hear Simon Peter sigh. He’s tired. He’s frustrated. He just caught nothing and now Jesus is asking him to try again. Simon Peter responds, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Maybe today you feel discouraged looking at your situation. Maybe it’s a relationship that isn’t improving. Maybe it’s a prayer that still isn’t answered. Maybe it’s a sin you’re struggling to overcome. Sometimes the daily grind and struggle can make us tired just like Simon Peter who spent all night fishing without results. It can be easy to want to give up.

Even though Simon Peter was in a place of exhaustion and discouragement, Jesus spoke to him to try again. And it took one word and the presence of the Master to fill his boat to overflowing with fish. Today no matter where you find yourself, keep trusting Him and being faithful. Say with Simon Peter, “because you say so, I will….” and let’s walk by faith and not by not sight knowing God is both able and good!

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