Luk 5:8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Luke 5 begins with a great story of faith and humility. Simon Peter is discovering the blessing that comes from trusting in Christ, and in addition, he sees his own sin before the Lord.

The men were fishing all night and caught nothing,  but at the command of Jesus, they threw the nets in again, this time catching more fish than they could handle.

This story is amazing to me in several ways. First, I’m certain there were fish in the water all night, but Jesus kept them from entering the nets until his command. I can’t help but think of schools of fish swimming deep below the surface waiting to get caught. Every time the nets were dropped they waited, until just the right moment when they heard the sound of his voice, “into the nets!”

Next is the faith of Peter. He reminds Jesus they tried all night, but throws the nets in anyway. Oh, how often I debate with God. I hear that still small voice but simply discount it or rationalize it away. Peter could have given many reasons why it would be useless to drop the nets, but instead he simply dropped the nets. What a great picture of evangelism… there will always be fish when the Lord says drop the nets.

And lastly, his humility. When they bring in a catch far too large for one boat to carry, he falls before Christ and declares his sinfulness. He recognizes who is before him. Rather than simply being excited over the catch, he is in awe of the one who is Lord over the sea and everything in it. Peter sees his unworthiness in the presence of the Almighty.

Lord, help me to remain in awe of you. I don’t want to simply be thankful, I want to see your magnificence in all things. Forgive me for looking to you for provision but not showing you the reverence you deserve when you come through in mighty ways. Amen…