SUBMITTING YOUR WILL

Scripture:  Luke 5:5  "At Thy Word I will."

Obeying and acting on God's Word sometimes can be very challenging.  Peter and his men had spent the night fishing and were tired and weary.  When they brought their boat to the shallow waters of the shore Jesus asked them to allow Him to use it as a platform to teach the people.  When Jesus finished teaching He told Peter to "Launch out into the deep."  This command challenged Peter and his men because it meant greater self-sacrifice.  They may have wanted to go home and rest, but Jesus was asking them for more.  Peter responded and said, "Nevertheless at Your Word I will let down the net."  He was saying, "I'm going to submit myself to Your Word.  I'm going to trust in You."  They obeyed the Word of the Lord and because they did, they were blessed and their nets were filled with fish.

Have you ever noticed that God usually calls you to do something when you are too tired, too busy, or feel too inadequate to do the job?  The Lord usually starts by giving us something to do in the shallow part of the lake that is near the shore.  He knows that it is something that we can handle.  He tests our faithfulness in these small and shallow things and then calls us into a place of greater responsibility.  Often the shallow waters have proven to be a challenge and we cannot imagine being able to handle the deeper waters.  Yet, our desire to please God and do more for His kingdom draws us to obey His voice and do His will.

As we obey God's Word and launch out into the deep, we discover several things.  Going out into the deep water means that we must give up the security of the shore, and sometimes it means that we have to leave others behind.  To go into the deeper water requires greater commitment and a greater dependence upon God.  We find that we cannot jump ship at the first sign of trouble and return to the safety of the dry land.  There will also be stronger winds of adversity to face and increased responsibility, but this greater challenge means greater opportunity to see God work as we exercise "water walking faith."  Psalms 107:23-24 says, "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep."  Another translation says, "When you are in great waters, you see God in action."

The call that God is now extending to you may be far greater than your past experience, but as you obey His Word, He will bless you beyond measure.  Take the challenge!  At the Lord's command, launch out into the deep.  Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and say as Peter said, "Nevertheless, at Your Word I will do it." +++