Day 18-Because you say

My Prayer: Psalm 5:3 (New International Version)
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.


The Reading: Mark 3-5
Luke 5:4-8 (New International Version)
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"

My Thoughts: Because you say so, I'll try again. Simon Peter had fished all night with no results...wrong timing, wrong place, some other fishery thing that just wasn't quite right. Then Jesus says, "One more time...right here...right now." And Simon Peter does it, against his own judgement, and reaps the rewards. Rewards beyond what could be expected. And his first reaction is to push Jesus away because he is very aware of his sin, that close to Jesus he knows he doesn't deserve what he's been given. How many times does God's goodness remind me of how little I deserve it? And all Jesus says is "Don't be afraid." Nothing about how bad you are, what you deserve, or things to change to get better...he wants to give you good things and will. Thanks goodness we don't get what we deserve. Thank goodness we get so much better.