DEVOTION
FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016
Topic: TOILING IN VAIN?
Text: Luke
5:1 – 11
Teaching is very important in pastoral ministry and when you
have the word of God, people will come to wherever you are to hear the word. A
good teacher of the gospel uses every opportunity to teach is disciples or
members. He doesn’t wait till they gather in the church. This was the
characteristic of Jesus’ earthly ministry. People came to Him to hear the word
of God and He taught them. A friend complaining about the preaching of his
pastor said, “We come to church because of the word and not story telling.”
Jesus understood this and used Peter’s boat to preach from
the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Gennesaret). After preaching, he told Peter to cast
down his net for a catch. Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them
to let down their nets again. When Jesus met them at the sea, they were washing
their nets apparently on the basis that the day’s business was over. They’ve
called it a day. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not
succeeded as we desired. Though they have toiled without success, Peter was
willing to still try because Jesus has commanded. At last, there was a haul of
fish. Jesus was true to His words. He showed His supremacy over creatures and
laws of nature.
As Christians, we are called to preach the gospel. We
should not be discouraged when we have preached and laboured long without
apparent successes; but according to Christ's directions, we should continue to
labour in humble dependence on Him, and with believing expectations that in His
own time and way He will give us success. On the other hand, have you been
toiling in vain in your trade, craft, office, business, marriage, studies, etc? God is saying cast your net for a
catch. All you need is simple obedience and things will begin to work. You may not need to change your business but patiently ask God to direct you on what to do that you have not been doing. God will certainly surprise you.
Food for
Thought: Obedience is the key to successes
and miracles.
Memory
verse: Luke 5 verse 5
Prayer: Lord, grant me a willing and obedient heart to
trust and obey your commands in Jesus name.
