Launch Out into the Deep

Luke 5:4 "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

The Latin phrase for Jesus' words, "Launch out into the deep" is Duc In Altum. I have this inscribed on the inside of the Navy ring to remind me that God often calls us to engage Him in situations where He, and only He, could bring about results. We often give God credit for our victories in very normal situations. Now, don't misinterpret what I'm saying. I believe we should thank God for every good things that comes our way, for He is the Giver of ALL good things (James 1:17.) But God also shows His strength on our behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9) when we obey His voice and follow Him into the "Deep waters."

Let me backtrack a bit and give a little more explanation of the significance of this situation and the cultural backdrop. Simon was a fisherman, Jesus wasn't. Simon fished the Sea of Galilee, and every seasoned fisherman knows that you fish the Sea of Galilee at night and in the shallow water. Not in the daylight, and not in the deep water. Why? Because that's not where the fish are. Pretty simple, really. So when Jesus finishes teaching the multitudes from Simon's boat, He tells him to push his boat out into the deep water and put his nets down. Simon's reservation is totally understandable, but he obeyed. The story goes on to tell us that his nets caught such a large amount of fish that his nets began to break and he had to call to other boats to come to his assistance to bring in such a massive load of fish.

Some members of the underground house church movement in China came to visit America, and when they returned home they were asked what they thought of the American church. They said they were amazed at all the great things American churches can do without God. Now I don't believe that everything we do is without the aid of God, for He surely replenishes our strength when we are weak and gives us the vision to engage the task. But I do agree that we tend to reserve our obedience to the familiar and comfortable areas. That way if we fail, it isn't a big fail; and if we succeed, we can take part of the credit with God. Sad. The Chinese church has nothing to lose, for if caught they are severely punished. I've heard stories of baptisms in the middle of winter, where they are least likely to be caught by the authorities, where they have to cut large chunks of ice off the top of the river in order to get in- but miraculously the water is warm to their skin! That- can only be GOD!

There are times when God will call us to engage Him in circumstances where the results are completely up to Him; unnatural and improbable, sometimes absolutely impossible. But these are the times when HE gets all the glory, for there is no humanly possible way we could have produces such results on our own!

I guess the bottom line is this: I believe that God is big. I believe that Jesus is alive. I believe His Spirit has been given to me to guide and convict me, showing me the deep mind of God (1 Cor 2:9-12). In light of these things, I suppose I want my puny little existence on this earth to scream His very real presence and love and power. I cannot do that by engaging Him in disbelief, but rather anticipating in faith Him to move in supernatural, otherwise unexplainable ways; this way ALL glory goes to Him alone.

Lord, I beg You, call me to "Launch Out into the Deep!"