And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luke 5:5
The Word of God is not just a mile marker to mark certain parts of your life, it's an intersection. Over and over again it will bring you to a place of choice. You'll have to choose between adhering to the Word or choose your own human reasoning.
In Luke 5:3, Jesus got into a boat and began to speak to the multitudes. I believe that even though he had been working all night, Peter's heart was being touched by the word. Jesus turned to him and told him to take the boat back out and lower his nets. Peter told Jesus, "We've been working all night, but at your word, I'll do it." Peter had begun to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Isn't it interesting how often God leads us in ways we do not understand. I remember as a young man in college the Lord spoke to me and said, "It's time for you to go." The decision to leave college was huge but I knew I had heard the Lord clearly. All I knew to say was, "Yes Lord." No one else agreed with me but I knew I had to obey the word the Lord was speaking to me.
When was the last time the word of the Lord shed light upon your path? Do we still delight in the word of the Lord or do we want God on our own terms? I am reading through the book of Proverbs with one of my son's every day before he goes to school and today we read, "Cease from your pursuit of wealth and prize wisdom above gold and silver." When was the last time you heard that? If a preacher can use the word to manipulate you to give money to them, they can take advantage of you. God wants you to delight in His word and let it teach you and counsel you and renew your mind. Why do you think John said in 1st John 2:27 that the anointing of the Holy One abides in you and you don't need anyone to teach you. The Holy Spirit wants to teach you and lead you into all truth. The five fold ministry was not set apart to be the mouthpiece of God for you. Their purpose is to cultivate within the body of Christ the ability to hear God and do what He says. When you are rightly related to the headship of Christ you can hear God and obey Him for yourself.
Faith is not going to grow in your heart until you learn to obey Him. Peter heard the word of God and was transformed inside by it. When Jesus asked him to cast off and go out fishing again he didn't try to talk Jesus out of it, he obeyed and experienced a miracle. When God is speaking we want to hear His voice for ourselves and obey Him.
Consider 1 Kings chapter 13 where a young prophet is sent by God to Bethel to speak a word of judgement. God gave Him specific instructions to speak the word and then to leave and go back home. He was told not to eat with or stay with anyone but to return immediately by a different way. An older prophet heard what had happened that day and he went and told that young prophet that an angel told him he should come and eat with him and stay with him. The young prophet did not listen to what God told him to do and instead listened to the old prophet that was lying to him. Because he didn't listen that young prophet was eaten by a lion. What a picture for us today!
Jesus told us that in the last days their will be false teachers and many will be lead astray. It says because lawlessness has increased people will be deceived. They will be unwilling to die to self and false prophets will tell them it's okay to live lawlessly. If you listen to the counsel of this world it's not going to keep you! When the storm comes you can only stand on the truth of God's word.
I want to challenge you today to spend time in God's word. Even if you read just one scripture a day it can build you up in your faith. The Bible is not made just for colleges and seminaries. The Holy Spirit wants to break it open for YOU and provide direction for your life.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105
