and yet the net did not tear

We learn a good lesson today from the story of Jesus and the huge catch of fish, which we read in John 21:1-25 in the One Year Bible. Jesus tells the disciples to lower their nets, even though they've fished all night and caught nothing. They trust Him, and lower their nets - even though they're experienced fishermen and know how to fish correctly. But in obedience, they do as Jesus tells them.

They catch so many fish that John is surprised that the nets don't break. But that's how Jesus operates in our lives. First, He shows us what we can do without Him - which is nothing. Without Jesus, the disciples worked hard all night long and caught nothing. Then He gives us orders for our lives that don't seem to make any sense, even to those of us who have lived a long time. But when we obey Him, He blesses us with such a large response to our faith that it doesn't seem our lives can contain the gift.

But our nets hold. They don't tear. Because when Jesus tells us to do something, He equips us to do it. Our nets don't tear because we're doing His work, and He keeps our nets intact.

Let's trust Him for even bigger catches.

God, thank You for equipping us to handle the huge gifts You give us when we trust You and do what You say.