Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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When the Struggle Produces Nothing'That night they caught nothing.' John 21:3
The disciples, including Peter, a master fisherman, struggled all night and 'caught nothing'. Based on experience alone you’d think they’d have caught something - but not this time. There’s a lesson there. Sometimes God lets us struggle to teach us that despite all our skill and experience, some problems can’t be solved by planning, budgeting, or trying to figure them out. They’re resolved, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts' (Zechariah 4:6). Maybe you’re ready to give up the fight because what worked for you in the past isn’t working now. If so, here are two things about Jesus you need to remember: (1) He’s closer than you think! Listen: 'When the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore' (John 21:4). In spite of your turmoil, your experiences with those who’ve disappointed and hurt you, the frustrations and futility of your own efforts, Jesus is closer, much closer than you think! The Psalmist says, 'weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning' (Psalm 30:5). Did you hear that? Joy is coming; don’t lose hope! (2) He’s there - even when you can’t see Him! When morning broke the disciples were able to see the Lord on the beach. It wasn’t that He couldn’t reach them, it was just that He didn’t need to get into the middle of their struggle, to speak into it and deliver them. Hang in there, God’s at work! When the morning comes you’ll see Him as you’ve never seen Him before, and understand things in a way you never understood them before.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to always remember that the morning is coming and that you are there. Help me see that my struggles are things that you placed there for me to work through – by your guidance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Heavenly Father, help me to always remember that the morning is coming and that you are there. Help me see that my struggles are things that you placed there for me to work through – by your guidance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Good Afternoon Tim:
Wanted to drop you a line to thank you for today's excellent devotion. I have an issue in my life that I have been struggling with the the last five years. I've given this issue to God and taken it back again several times. I work with group of Industrial Engineers, thus I have learned the problem-process-answer way of dealing with things. And, of course, although I have tried my very best to handle my problem, I have not come any closer to a solution than where I was five years ago. Reading this devotion brought tears to my eyes...I thought I was helping God with my problem and was becoming frustrated because I would end up back at the same place over and over.
Keeping this devotional close at hand to re-read when I am becoming frustrated at my definition of "lack of process". I imagine there will be a lot less struggle when I render the "reins" back to God.
Thanks for the words...for opening up my stubborn human way of thinking and looking at the issue from God's prospect.
Blessings.
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