Sunday September 25, 2022

Good Catch

John records this appearance of the risen Christ who appeared to dispel the fears of His disciples. It took place in Galilee, where the disciples returned to their familiar, safe, worldly occupations. Many times, during great trials, we return to old situations instead of pressing on to new work. But Jesus will always meet us there and show us His love and provision in our lives.

This was the seventh appearance to seven disciples, seven days after His first appearance…what a stage to set! This was shaping up to be an extremely important encounter. It is here that God reveals Himself as Jehovah Jireh, the Lord the Provider.

Peter and the other disciples had decided to fish and had been out all night yet they caught nothing. Between them, there were probably five or six nets in the water at any given time wielded by very skilled fishermen. But each time they brought up the nets, they were empty.

Jesus shows up and instructs them to put down a net…just one, and put it down on the right-hand side of the boat. Within moments they caught more fish than they were able to haul…more provision than they needed! But the greater miracle was the confession of Peter. “It is the Lord!” It is the Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our Provider. Peter immediately recognized that it wasn’t their skill or tenacity that brought in such a catch…it was the supernatural empowering from Jesus.

When we obey His command to let down our net of need in the place of His abundance, all of our needs will be met. He is the supplier of all. He supplies our needs out of His own riches not ours…not our abilities, not our labor, not our efforts, and not our strength. (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of supplies)

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil.4:19)

But why the right-hand side of the boat? Because there are amazing blessings at the right hand of God. There are treasures unknown awaiting us on the right hand side of our boats of discouragement, trial, or need. In His right hand we find: righteousness (Ps.48:10), power (Ex.15:6), pleasures forever (Ps.16:11), refuge (Ps.17:7) and saving strength (Ps.20:6), just to name a few.

Let these sink in:

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Is.41:10)

Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces. (Ex.15:6)

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. (Ps.98:1)

The moment we confess our own lack of ability, power, and resources, Jesus steps in and supplies all. All we will need…all we could want…all that He is willing to give rest in the mighty right hand of God. That’s what I’d call a good catch!

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Related Scripture

And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish

— John 21:6

Word Wisdom

supplies

Greek "epichoregeo" (ep-ee-khor-ayg-eh-oh) Strong’s #2023

A combination of "epi,"" intensive," and "chorego," “to defray the expenses of a chorus.” The word thus means to supply fully or abundantly, generously provide what is needed to cover the costs completely. (Compare “chorus.”) It is used with the strong connotation of great and free generosity. In Galatians 3:5, Paul is chiding the Galatians for regressing to the beggarly elements of legalism, which he contrasts with the abounding surplus of God’s provision through grace.

So...

David Brainerd was a famous missionary who went to the Indians to preach the Gospel. As a result of his labors, many of the Indians found their Savior. Brainerd was a man of prayer. In his diary he tells of his experiences on his many travels. And he often mentions how the Lord heard and answered his prayers.

One day, on one of his many journeys to visit an Indian tribe, he was overtaken by a severe storm. He looked for a place of shelter and eventually found one in a hollow log of a very large tree. While there, he prayed for the Indians and also that the Lord would take care of him and his needs.

When meal time came, he was hungry, but there was nothing to eat. He noticed a squirrel approaching the tree. The squirrel chattered a while. When the little animal disappeared, Brainerd noticed that he had left a few nuts behind. The missionary ate those nuts.