Luke 5:4-6

Russ remarked, “I have heard fish stories before, but this one beats them all.”  There was no way he was going to believe his friend’s story.  “Trust me,” John said, “This is no fish story.”  Russ wasn’t convinced.  It wasn’t until he saw the pictures and the mounted fish that Russ finally believed John wasn’t exaggerating.

Peter and the other disciples were like Russ.  They were professionals and they knew better.  So when Jesus told them to put out into deep water, they thought that it wouldn’t accomplish anything.  In spite of their reservations, they decided to do what Jesus told them.

Much to their amazement, the impossible happened.  The catch was beyond their wildest dreams.  Suddenly the truth terrified them.  They just experienced a miracle, and they recognized they were in the presence of God (Luke 5:8-9).

As I consider this account, I am confronted by conflicting conclusions.  I can reject the account as an exaggeration – just another fish story.  On the other hand, I can believe the account is a true event in the life of Jesus and his disciples.

If I choose to reject the miracle, as well as the response of the disciples, I may gain a small piece of self-satisfaction, but what do I lose in exchange?  In contrast, if I put my confidence in Luke’s inspired account of Jesus’ miracle, what do I gain?

The bottom line is this.  I cannot afford to pick and choose what I like or what I don’t like.  That process leaves me with nothing.  I need to believe everything Luke records regarding Jesus, and I need to believe it is the truth.

Luke’s Gospel is a carefully investigated account of the life of Jesus (Luke 1:1-4).  It is also a true account because he wrote by the power of God the Holy Spirit.  Because it is true, it eliminates fear.  It erases doubt.  It declares forgiveness.  It proclaims peace.  It eases pain.  It offers a purpose for life.  It gives me every reason to follow Jesus without hesitation (Luke 5:11).

Luke went to great lengths to record the facts of Jesus’ life and ministry and to share that truth with me.  It is because his efforts were guided by the Holy Spirit that I can have complete confidence in what has been recorded.  It is also because of God’s undeserved love that I can answer a most urgent question:  “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (Luke 24:26)  Based on the truth of Luke’s detailed account, I can say, “Absolutely!  And, he did it for me!”

Jeremiah 1:4-10

“But…I can’t.”  “But…that’s too hard!”  “But…I don’t know how.”  “But…someone else can do it better than I can.”  How often during our day do we focus on our limitations and make excuses why we didn’t do something or why we can’t do something.  Unfortunately, these same excuses transfer from the daily activities of life to the important spiritual matters of life.  Excuses abound.  “But…I don’t have time for church right now.”   “But…it’s all too confusing to figure out.”  “But…when my kids get older then I’ll think about those things.”  “But…” The list goes on.

The prophet Jeremiah had a direct call from the Lord to be his spokesman to the people of Israel.  Granted, he was going to have a rough task and a very difficult message for the people to hear.  However, the first thing he did was make an excuse, “I do not know how to speak.”  Our sinful human nature resists the call of God.  

Not many can claim a direct call from God, but we all can claim making excuses in response to God’s will.  A friend brings up a spiritual discussion to which we say, “I don’t want to talk about it.”  A family member invites us to come with them to church.  We say, “It’s my day to sleep in.”  Our child asks us about God and who he is and we say, “Go ask your mother.”  A fellow church member asks us to serve and we say, “I don’t have the time.”

We can only marvel that God in his love continues to reach out to us.  He didn’t cast Jeremiah aside for his excuses, but rather reminds him that he has nothing to fear. The all-powerful God, who knew him before he knew himself, was present with him.  

Today God wants to remind you of two things when you are tempted to make excuses and steer away from his call.  One, you are part of the Lord’s plan.  He knew you before you were formed in the womb and he desires that you, now outside of the womb, come to know and believe in him.  And, two, with that reality in mind, he wants us to understand that life is not about me as an individual, rather we are here on this earth to carry out the Lord’s purpose.

So stop making excuses.  The Lord is calling you to believe in his Son, Jesus and live for him.  Discover more about him in his Word.  For help and guidance, go online to www.whataboutjesus.com  and learn more about Jesus.  

Enjoy living for your Lord today!