SCRIPTURE
Luke 5:1-11 New Testament
This is a great story! Simon was fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee and caught nothing. He was heavily in debt with his taxes to Rome. He needed to catch lots of fish to even slightly pay it back. He was very frustrated and even angry at God for his dilemma.
When he got to shore, he met for the first time Jesus, who was preaching to a small crowd. He did not know who he was. Jesus turned to him after he moored his fishing boat. Jesus, knowing Simon's dire needs, turned to him and told him to throw his net out one more time for a catch. Simon's brother Andrew was with him and they hesitantly threw the net out to the side of the boat. Hundreds of fish filled the net. He called for help and his two fishermen friends, James and John, were nearby and ran to help them put this heavy catch into the boat. There was so much fish that it filled two boats!
Simon jumped out of the boat humbled, and got down on his knees in front of Jesus. Jesus asked Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow him and that from that point on they would catch men and not fish.
LESSON
There's more than one lesson in this story, but I will choose just one of them.
Jesus KNEW Simon's dire need to catch lots of fish. If Simon didn't pay his overdue and exorbitant debt, bad consequences would certainly follow.
Jesus knows our needs as well. We are his beloved children, and no loving father would not heed to care for his children when they are in need. Sometimes the answer to our prayers for help do not come in the timely fashion that we hope. God has his own timing . But when we asked for help, he listens to our prayers and never abandons his children. Trust and patience are required by us to always know that God is there by our side and will take care of us, comfort us, and love us. He is forever faithful.💕