Throw Yourself into the Sea

Daily Reading: John 21

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. (John 21.7)

Devotional Thought: Simon Peter "threw himself into the sea."  He did that in Matthew 14 as well.  It happened during a storm.  Jesus walked on the water, appearing to the disciples who were struggling to stay afloat.  During that storm, Peter knowing where his true safety was, left the temporary shelter of the boat to join Jesus.  Placing himself at the mercy of the sea, Peter trusted Jesus to preserve him.  And Jesus did just that. 

Here in John 21, however, Peter did not wait for Jesus to bid him to come, did not attempt to ascertain if Jesus wanted him to come, and did not wonder if Jesus would keep him safe.  He simply “threw himself into the sea.”

Like the disciples that night, we sometimes have nothing to show for our labors.  Our bodies are tired, our hearts are discouraged, and our faith is tested.  We wonder, “Where is the blessing he promised?”  Then, Jesus shows up.  Oh, friend, we can do nothing of eternal significance without Jesus showing up!  That is why the first order of business should always be prayer!  When Jesus arrived, the net was filled!  Yes, the disciples needed to “Cast the net on the right side,” following Jesus’ instructions, but they would not have known to do that without Jesus there to instruct them.  His presence made all the difference.  Divine appearance calls for human obedience and leads to abundance.

Are you tired and discouraged?  Is your faith being tested?  Scan the distant shores, for it is times such as these that Jesus delights to appear and to bless his children.  Leave the results in God’s hands and throw yourself into the sea of God’s faithfulness!

Prayer: Lord, sometimes I feel like I'm getting nowhere.  Nothing I do seems to help, and I just want to give up.  When that happens, please reveal yourself to me as you did to the disciples and tell me where to "throw my net."  And would you give me grace and courage to do so - to throw myself into the sea of your love?  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 41.1-9

1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;

2 the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.

3 The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.

4 As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you! ”

5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish? ”

6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.

7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me.

8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies. ”

9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.