Nevertheless, At Your Word

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.’”
— Luke 5:4-6 NKJV

In the past, God spoke to us through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he speaks to us by his Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). When the Lord speaks within our hearts, life would be so easy if we replied, “Nevertheless, at Your word.”

Simon Peter and his crew were experienced fishermen. They knew the ins and outs of fishing. They knew fishing at night would bring them success. That night, they went out seeking fish, but after searching for them all night, they found none. In the morning, Jesus told Peter to go out to where the water is deep and let down his net. Peter replied, “We have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” Peter’s obedience was a test of faith.

Ask, Seek, and Knock

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
— Matthew 7:7 NIV

You need only to ask, and the Lord will give His blessings; seek, and He will enable you to find whatever you are looking for; knock, and the Lord will lead you to an open door that no one can shut. Although you have tried many times on your own to accomplish your dreams, you must not give up. When the Lord speaks in your heart, resolve that you will reply as Simon Peter did, “Nevertheless, at Your word.”

While seeking that job, knowledge, or something deeply personal, if you ask, surely God will answer. Therefore, when He speaks to your heart, at His word, let down your net once more. Don’t allow disappointment to rule your life by accepting defeat. Don’t stop trying all because you are not successful the first time. Learn from Simon Peter’s response to the Lord. Disappointment filled Simon Peter’s nets. After pursuing fish all night, he had nothing to show for it. Yet, when the lord spoke, he was obedient.

The Power of the Lord’s Word

A word from God is not only a word. There is miracle-working power in God’s word. By the word of the Lord, God made the universe. When the earth was dark and had no form, God said, “Let there be light,” and light overcame darkness. At the word of the Lord, kingdoms arise and empires flourish; dynasties die, kingdoms crumble, mighty cities become a wilderness, and armies melt away like the morning frost. Despite our sin and the devil’s rage, everything from the beginning, from Adam until now, everything has happened according to the purpose and will of the Lord.

Perhaps you have been seeking a job or knowledge to fulfill your vocation, but have not been successful. Don’t give up. The Lord has a word for you. When He speaks, your reply should be, “Nevertheless, at Your word, I will do it again.”

It is possible to hold both faith and doubt simultaneously. But even when you doubt, be obedient to the Lord. Peter had concerns about the word he received from Jesus; nevertheless, he was obedient. Jesus told Peter to let down his “nets.” Peter doubted he would catch fish because he only let down one net. However, because of his obedience, the Lord still blessed him.

When we readily obey the word of the Lord, He will bless us, just as He blessed Peter with a boatload of fish. The Lord never disappoints. He only desires that we have confidence in Him, and His word, and blessings will fill our nets.