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Articles
"At Your Word, I Will"
The scene in Luke 5:1-11 takes place by the Lake of Gennesaret, where Peter and his fishing partners—men experienced in their trade—were washing their nets after a long, unproductive night of fishing. Fishermen know their lakes intimately; they understand the best times and places to catch fish. Yet, after hours of labor with nothing to show for it, a carpenter comes along and instructs them to go back out and let down their nets. Many people tend to get frustrated when someone tells them how to do their job. However, Peter's response, "At Your word, I will," speaks volumes about his trust in the carpenter’s advice, even when the timing seemed all wrong.
Of course, the carpenter was Jesus, who was already making waves with His powerful teachings and miraculous deeds. In chapter 4, He had been baptized, tempted by Satan, and rejected by His hometown of Nazareth. Despite this rejection, His reputation continued to grow as He traveled throughout Galilee, casting out demons and healing the sick. One of those He healed was Peter’s mother-in-law, perhaps giving Peter reason to trust Jesus’ advice out on the lake.
This moment by the lake was a test of faith and obedience. Peter was tired, having spent the night casting nets and pulling them back in, only to catch nothing. Jesus' command came at a time when the logical response would have been to say no and wait for a better time. Yet, Peter chose to obey, despite the circumstances. His willingness to follow Jesus' word, even when it went against his own expertise as well as his desire in the moment, demonstrates a trust in the Lord that we are called to emulate.
We all face similar tests in life. There are moments when God’s commands seem ill-timed or even illogical. Perhaps we’re asked to make a sacrifice or take a step of faith when it’s inconvenient or when we’re already feeling exhausted and discouraged. Like Peter, we may find ourselves thinking, “I’ve tried this before, and it didn’t work.” But the lesson from this passage is clear: when God speaks, our response should be, “At Your word, I will.” This response requires not only faith but also action. Obedience to God’s word often demands us to step out of our comfort zones.
Jesus, our Teacher, understands our situation perfectly. He knows our needs, our struggles, and our limits better than we do. His timing, though sometimes perplexing, is always perfect. The test Peter faced was a precursor to the many trials he would encounter later in his journey as a disciple. Through each test, Peter's faith grew stronger, leading to greater blessings and a deeper relationship with the Lord. As we face our own tests, we must remember that God’s commands are designed to bless us, even if they initially cause discomfort. His blessings are abundant, far exceeding what we can imagine. Peter discovered this truth as his obedience led to a catch so large it nearly sank his boat.
The story in Luke 5 reminds us that obedience to God’s word is not always easy, but it is always rewarding. When we choose to trust and follow Jesus, even when it doesn’t make sense to us, we open the door to His blessings and a deeper faith. Let us remember that God’s ways are higher than our own, and have the faith to respond to God’s word with the mindset to say, “At Your word, I will.”
