WEEKLY MESSAGE
SUN, 31/05/26 - SAT, 06/06/26
ON THE MESSAGE THIS WEEK: GO DEEPER
KEY VERSE: “LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP” (LUKE 5:4)
The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus said, ‘“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets”... And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish’ (see Luke 5:4-6).
Notice three things here:
1) Working harder isn’t necessarily the answer. The disciples ‘toiled all night’. Nobody could have questioned their work ethic. But when you fish in water that’s too shallow, no amount of effort will bring results
2) You need to obey God even when you don’t understand His plan. Peter, a seasoned fisherman, had to set aside his pride and say, ‘Nevertheless at Your word I will...’ In 2 Kings chapter 5, Naaman had to humble himself and bathe in the Jordan in order to be healed of leprosy. In Gethsemane Jesus displayed the same attitude when He prayed, ‘Not My will, but Yours be done’ (see Luke 22:42).
3) Going deeper always works. Jesus said two men built houses, but only one house survived the storm because the builder ‘dug... deep and laid the foundation on rock’ (see Luke 6:48).
A pastor once said he sometimes felt like an old hand-operated pump. ‘Everyone who came along would reach up and pump vigorously a few times, and each time he felt something drain out of him. Finally, he had nothing more to give. At a ministry retreat he expressed his thoughts to a very wise friend, expecting her to offer soothing words about what a wonderful sacrificial person he was. Instead she gave him some great advice: “There’s only one thing to do when your reservoir is dry. Go deeper!”’
The psalmist David probably felt something similar. He said, ‘On God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?’ And David should know, because God enabled him to defeat a lion, a bear, and a giant.
The story is told about the man who approached a farmhouse and every few yards he noticed signs that read, ‘Beware of Dog’. When he finally reached the farmhouse, he discovered the dog was a tiny Chihuahua. ‘You mean to tell me that little dog keeps people away?’ he asked. The farmer smiled and said, ‘No, but the signs do!’
Fear roars like a lion, but much of the time when we confront it, it’s just a Chihuahua! The truth is, you can face anything when you know God has promised: ‘I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee’ (see Isaiah 41:13). So instead of fearing the worst, start believing God for the best. And you do that by personalising His promises: ‘[There is nothing to fear], for I am with you... I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; I... will hold you up’ (see Isaiah 41:10).
David learned that fear loses its power when we place our confidence in God rather than in what we see around us. Whether facing empty fishing nets, overwhelming challenges, or intimidating circumstances, the answer is the same: trust God's Word, obey His direction, and move forward in faith. When we rely on Him instead of our own understanding or fears, He provides what we need, strengthens us through difficulties, and works all things together for our good.
Don’t let fear get the upper hand. Instead of giving in to it, stand on the Word of God and believe He’s going to bring you through your circumstances and make you stronger. See Romans 8:28.
Have a victorious week in Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Article/ extract from ucb,wordfortoday)
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Did you know: There are almost 20 different passages in the Bible where it is mentioned that we are God's people.
Ref: Jeremiah 32:38 / Ezekiel 14:11 / Zechariah 8:8 / 2 Corinthians 6:16 / Hebrews 8:10 / Ezekiel 11:20 / Ezekiel 37:23 / Jeremiah 7:23 / Jeremiah 31:33 / Ezekiel 37:27 / Jeremiah 31:1 / Revelation 21:3 / Exodus 6:7 / Leviticus 26:12 / Jeremiah 11:4 / Jeremiah 30:22 / Ezekiel 36:28.