Even If It Sounds Odd: Gospel Today Devotional - 31st January, 2024

It must have sounded odd when the Lord told Abraham to leave his father's house, family, and country, and although it must have sounded odd, he obeyed. It must have sounded odd when the Lord told him he would have a son by his wife Sarah who at the time evotiohad passed the age of conception, yet he trusted the Lord, and counted him faithful. Don't you think it would have sounded odd to Mary when the angel told her she would conceive of the Holy ghost, but yet she said to be unto her even as the angel had said? What will you say of Moses who gave excuses not to be sent but God insisted that he was the right man for the job, it must have sounded odd to him.

Let's say for instance, you have a shop, and then you have people working for you. You know at your instructions, it is expected that they move, and do exactly what you ask them to, isn't it? It doesn't matter if the instructions are rational or not. If you ask them to sit, they will. If you ask them to stand, they will. If you ask them to resume as early as 7am in the morning, they definitely will do that. The aim is not to question the instruction but to obey even if they understand/agree to it or not. Praise God. Even as parents, it is expected when children are given instructions, they obey, not questioning the instruction that was given but to do as they have been told.

This is that which believers should learn, and not just learn, but also practice. Praise the Lord. Sometimes, when instructions are given by the Lord, it may not appear the way we want it to be, that however should not be our focus but that whatever way it comes, whether or not we understand, we are to obey. Hallelujah! This will form the basis for our study today, and I trust that the Lord would through his word bless our hearts in no small way. Amen. The passage of scripture under consideration is seen below,

"Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. [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. [6] And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake". (Luke 5:4-6).

One thing is seen in this passage, neglecting all reasons or reasonable excuses, and obeying the word of the Lord. In obeying God's instructions, one would have to let go of every reasonable reason because most times, the instructions of God negates our reasoning, and if we continue to live in the realm of reasons, that is, to judge the instructions based on how we see things, feel, the environmental situation, and on, it would become difficult to please the Lord, why? Because we will end up disobeying most of his instructions, and sometimes even all. Imagine the disciples who had toiled all night with no result being instructed of the Lord to launch out into the deep for a draught? Don't you think it was odd to them?

Peter had to even speak up, that they had toiled all night, and got nothing. And it was not as though they left that particular place, it was still the same place they had been all night with no result. If they stayed all night without catching anything, what then is the assurance they would now catch something even if they tried this time, someone might have thought. You see, the instruction of the Lord to launch out negated their experiences, and if they were to just hold on to their experiences, they would have missed out on the great number of fishes they caught. It pays to work based on his instructions. Thank the Lord for Peter who said, well, I know we have toiled all night, and caught nothing, but you are the Lord, and if you now say we should launch out for a great catch, we will. Just at your word, I will let down the net (Paraphrased).

Peter understood the system of obeying instructions. It doesn't have to be reasonable, it doesn't have to agree with your experiences, and most times, it doesn't even respect you weakness, and short comings just like Moses. It will defy all  reasons why it shouldn't be. Has an instruction be given to you? Do you feel like it's odd? You feel incompetent, right? Perhaps you're judging by past experiences such as how others failed, isn't it? You think it shouldn't be, right? But then, it is what it is, it is his instruction, and his instructions are meant to be obeyed. Just like Peter, Abraham, Mary, even if it sounds odd, and defies all your reasons, at his word, let down the net for a draught (obey). This is God's word to you today. May these words sink deep into your hearts in Jesus' name. Amen.

Thought for the day: 

You may not understand, and it may contradict what you see, feel, and have experienced, but if he says to let down the net, and even if it sounds odd, just obey.

Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08053662272 or Email: [email protected].