It’s so much calmer, so much safer sitting by the shoreline watching those that venture out. We can feel the ground below us, no need to feel uncertain or unsure. In our own ability we maintain our distance from the unknown beyond what we can clearly see. Yet, God is calling us to launch out, to go out with expectation of what He can do and plans to do through our willingness to trust Him.
Luke 5:4
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
Jesus was instructing him to go out and let down his nets with faithful expectation for what Jesus was about to do. Simon on the other hand responded in much the same manner as we do.
Luke 5:5
“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
It was as if Simon was saying, “Lord we’ve been doing this all night and there are no fish. I’ll obey and do what you are asking, but I’m not expecting anything to happen.” Just as we do, we go through the motion of obeying without expectation. We do not have faith that anything will occur as a result. We have taken our eyes off of the one who saved us, the one who created the universe by simply speaking it into existence.
The same God is calling us to launch out in expectation of what He will do.
Luke 17:6 KJV
“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”
Matthew 17:20 KJV
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
It’s safer sitting by the shore, it’s easier to stand where we’ve always stood, but God is calling us to launch out. He’s instructing us to go beyond where we feel safe and confident to a place where He can be glorified. He’s calling us to launch out in expectation of what He wants to do through our lives.
Luke 5:8-9 KJV
“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 was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:”.
Be not afraid to launch out in expectation . . . God will always deliver !!!