When we say yes to God’s simple requests, we receive some of life’s most wonderful blessings. God’s simple requests act as a stepping stone towards His greatest blessings in our lives. Simon Peter is an illustration of this principle.
One day while Jesus was speaking to a large crowd, Jesus wanted to use Simon’s boat as a floating platform to address the entire crowd. (Luke 5:1-11) Jesus asked Simon to push the vessel a little way from the shore. This is not at all a very remarkable request. Simon Peter’s compliance paved the way for a life changing blessing.
Can you imagine, after a long night of fishing and returning empty handed if Simon had said, I am tired. I do not feel like it. He complied to this small request. We can learn from this just how essential it is to obey God in even the smallest of matters. When Jesus concluded His teaching to the people, He commanded Simon to put out to deeper water and let his nets down for a catch (5:4). We do not know exactly how long the sermon was to the people, but again, imagine if Simon, who had spent the long night fishing said No. perhaps he was inclined to say no. He was a seasoned fisherman being told by a “man” how to fish.
The oddest experience I have ever had is hunting and fishing. Doesn’t matter if it’s hunting rocks or game. You do not just tell someone how to hunt. You especially do not reveal your honey pot spots. Fishing is the same. Sometimes you get someone who is helpful and will tell you to use that salmon pink stinky bait stuff. But let us be real, no one really reveals what works or where the fish are at.
Simon Peter had worked the entire night fishing and he was faced with a choice: Go back out and rely on this man, who was a carpenter, not a fisherman, or pack up and go home. I wonder if it was delirium from being up all night that peaked his curiosity at what this man was asking him to do or was thee something in the message he spoke to the crowd.
By faith, Peter responded, we did not catch anything all night, but none the less we will try again.
This response demonstrated the beginning of a life long faith in God. He chose to obey the Lord and leave the consequences of his decision to Him.
As a result of obedience, Jesus demonstrated His power and sovereignty to not only the crowd, but to the fisherman and millions of people who read this account. Simon Peter may have thought the day started empty handed, but it ended with their complete amazement! They not only pulled in one boat fill of fish, but they pulled in two boats full of fish! Not just full, but over flowing boats full of fish! Saying yes to the Lord’s request resulted in a miracle that not only transformed one fisherman’s life, but the entire group.
Let’s pause and think about that. Simon Peter had two requests. He said yes to both and look at the impact of his choice:
All of the crowd could hear Jesus’ teaching
Simon Peter’s family was blessed.
The entire fishing crew was blessed.
Anyone who was on the side watching this entire scene play out was blessed.
We are blessed today to read a witness account of this blessing in obedience.
A simple request and response with yes is all it took.
Do you hesitate to obey God because you fear the consequences? We could all come up with a million reasons Simon Peter could have said No. what excuses are using today to dodge God and say no. God tells us we are to fear Him above all else. Not be fearful, but respect and honor Him above all things and people in our lives.
The same God who is sovereign and keeps your heart beating and the planets in orbit is more than capable of handling the results of your obedience. When we choose Him, He will bless us! In significant unimaginable ways He will bless our obedience. Obedience is that path to blessing and it should be our goal today to be obedient so we can watch Him work in our lives.
“He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.””
Luke 11:28 CSB
You never know when a small prompting of God will not only change your life, but the lives of those around you!
It Starts Small 
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