Few experiences define the word "dud," like a fishing trip without fish. Even more so when fishing is your livelihood.
But that’s the predicament that Peter, James, and John were in on the shores of Galilee. You know the story in Luke 5. They'd been casting their nets all night, catching nothing but a growing sense of frustration.
After borrowing Peter's boat and delivering a sermon to a shoreline crowd, Jesus asked Peter to row out into the deep, where He told him to let down the nets. This after zero success the night before. Give Peter credit for the rare humility in his reply: “But I will do as You say and let down the nets.”
And suddenly, this expedition was no dud. There were fish. Lots and lots of fish. So many fish that professional-grade nets (designed to hold lots of fish!) began to break.
That’s when Peter gestured wildly to his partners, James and John, in a second boat nearby. Note the details Luke includes:
“And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking.”
You and I know the Sunday School summary of this parable–that we're supposed to be "fishers of men." Jesus said so!
But do we miss the second lesson in this story? It's this: God gives no small gifts. He provides "abundantly above all that we could ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). And 1 John 3:1 reminds us, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God.” In fact, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those that love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).
- The magic of a sunset—God gives no small gifts.
- The cooing of a baby—God gives no small gifts.
- The symphony of a summer rain—God gives no small gifts.
Next time you’re facing an empty net—or an empty soul—choose to seek the Savior. Heed His voice—and remember: God gives no small gifts.
