The Other Side of Obedience

“‘Master,’ Simon replied, we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’” - Luke 5:5 NLT

We all suffer setbacks at work from time to time. But sometimes the simplest step from setback to comeback is just two words: Obey God.

Imagine this scenario: God has told you to do something that seems illogical and foolish to you. It makes no sense financially, relationally, or emotionally. Worse yet, it scares you to death.

But God says to do it anyway. The next move is yours: Obey God or go your own way.

For the past couple of days, I’ve been looking at this story in the Bible about a business setback. In Luke 5, Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing. For fishermen back then, this would have been an awful setback.

But Yeshua came by and used Peter’s boat to preach. Then Yeshua told him: “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish” (Luke 5:4 NLT).

Yeshua told Peter what to do…and then Peter had to make the choice to obey.

Yeshua’s instruction was completely illogical. On the surface it made no sense. After all, they had fished all night and caught nothing! So why did Yeshua tell Peter to go out again...and into the deeper water? It’s in the deep water where you find the most fish. But it’s also where you find the biggest risk.

And there’s no faith without risk.

So, did Peter decide to obey? “‘Master,’ Peter replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if You say so, I’ll let the nets down again’” - Luke 5:5 NLT.

Peter did what Yeshua told him to do. He didn’t do it because it was a smart or popular idea. He did it because God said to do it. He didn’t argue or hesitate.

And, through his obedience, God gave Peter and his companions a bigger business success than they could have dreamed. The Bible says God gave them so many fish that their nets tore and they had to enlist the help of other fishermen.

But none of that happened until Peter obeyed Yeshua…even when it was illogical to obey Him.

What has God told you to do that you’re not doing? Does it seem impossible? Does it make little sense financially? Is He telling you to go into the deep water? It doesn’t matter how foolish it seems. God wants you to take a risk and obey Him.

The choice is yours: You can either stay in the shallow end where it’s safe or go into the deep water where the fish are. Once you obey, God will take care of the rest. Your best days are on the other side of your obedience.

So, will you obey?