No Fish

So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. John 21:5-6  

No fish. The disciples worked all night and had nothing to show for it…no fish. Jesus gave them a simple suggestion. Cast your net on the right-hand side of the boat. They did as they were told and caught more fish than they could haul into their little boat. This wasn’t the first time that they had fished all night and not caught anything. Remember back when Jesus first called Simon, James and John to be His disciples, they had been fishing and didn’t catch anything.

He (Jesus) said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. ... When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:4-7, 11.

Obedience. That is what Simon Peter demonstrated both times—casting his fishing net again. Trusting the Lord and doing as He said. Trust and obey. Good example for us. When we’re caught short—financially, physically, or spiritually, maybe we need to cast our fishing line onto the other side of our boat or at least cast all our cares upon Him…. casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. Pray about alternatives, trusting that the Lord will provide for you just as He did for Peter and the other fishermen disciples. 

RSVP:  Jesus is offering you an alternative to anxiety and emptiness today. Cast your cares on Him. Will you trust Him and respond to His offer? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I give You my anxiety, worries, emptiness, as well as situations by which I am just overwhelmed. Thank You that You care about me and even the smallest details in my life and in my friends and families lives. I trust that You will provide for us just like You did in the miraculous way You filled the fishing nets for Peter and the other disciples.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.