The draught of fish from the deep

Like the Psalmist writes in Psalm 138, when we realize who God is and what great things He has done for us, our voices spew forth fountains of praise from the depths our hearts.  We worship God’s in His presence knowing He values His name and his Word, Jesus the Messiah (Christ) above all else.  He answers our prayers and strengthens us.  When we are low or in trouble, he rescues us, keeps us safe, loves us, never abandoning us.

Words failed Isaiah when standing before the throne of God (Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4:8-11), like Job who placed his hand over his mouth (Job 40:4) in God’s presence recognizing his insignificance and unworthiness.  We humble ourselves before Him (1 Peter 5:6).  As the seraphim cry out His holiness, in awe-filled silence, we await the nod of His golden scepter (Esther 4:11, 5:2, 8:4) granting us acceptance and mercy to utter entreaty.  He touches our tongues with live coals from the altar that we might not speak of ourselves (Isaiah 58:13) (Luke 21:15) but with His powerful words which are spirit and life (John 6:63) as Jesus did (John 14:10).  After meditating on his word and imagining the creativity of his excellence, (Genesis 1:2), we speak.  We, like the prophets before us including Abraham (Genesis 22:5), speak of things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4:17).  Our word, like his, creates the framework of existence.

After Jesus had spoken from Peter’s boat to the crowds, Jesus rewarded Peter by encouraging him to go fishing again (Luke 5:1-11). Ever outspoken, Peter in his humanity replied: he and his fellows had fished all night without result.  Jesus responded from the heart of a man who meditated in God’s word day and night (Psalm 1).  Launch out into the deep to let down your nets.  The darkness of the deep was where the Holy Spirit hovered meditating that initial day of creation until God’s imaginations took flight as He spoke the Word:  Light!   And light entered the darkness, dispelling it before sun, moon, or stars were created (Genesis 1:2).  Peter obeyed Jesus’ words and they caught so many fish their nets were about to break.  He realized, like Isaiah, he was a sinful man.  Words were what was spoken to Mary when she in her fertile womb replied, Let it be done to me according to your Word (Luke 1:38).  And it was.  The Messiah took flesh and walked among us (John 1:14).    Jesus understood the Old Testament scriptures/words created the earthly body in which he would live and events in which he would participate  (Hebrews 10:5).  This eluded the religious rulers (John 5:39).  They perceived the demands of obedience without the acceptance and favor of relationship even though prophecy after prophecy spoke of Christ, the life he would lead and the purpose of his life (Isaiah 53, Isaiah 7:14, born of a virgin, star Numbers 24:17, Bethlehem Micah 5:2, from the cross Psalm 22, Genesis 3:15 seed of a woman, etc. These barely touch the surface.)

In humility (1 Peter 5:5-7) let us remember we are dust (Psalm 103:14 Genesis 3:19).  We are dead in our trespasses and sins and it is only by the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead we have life in our mortal bodies (Ephesians 2:1-10).  But the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) and makes our faith work (Galatians 5:6) 

The draught of fish represents the rewards of obedience, the fruit of meditation on the word of God and the entry by faith into His rest (Hebrews 4:10 – 11).

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)