Shalom! Welcome to today’s devotional study of God’s Word. Before we go further, I would like you to deeply reflect on two powerful events recorded in Scripture. These two passages—highlighted below—contain the core message of today’s teaching. Pay close attention to the words that are in bold.
First Passage: Luke 5:4–7 (NKJV)
“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’
But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’
And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.
So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”
Second Passage: John 21:3–6 (NKJV)
“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’ They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’
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.”
Understanding the Two Events
These two fishing miracles—though similar in result—happened at very different moments in the ministry of Christ and reveal two distinct approaches God uses to work in our lives.
In Luke 5, Jesus meets Peter and the other fishermen after preaching from their boat. He instructs them to launch into the deep—to go far out into the sea, away from the shore—and to let down their nets for a catch. Despite having labored all night in vain, Peter obeys the word of the Lord. The result? A miraculous catch that nearly breaks their nets and sinks their boats.
Contrast this with John 21, after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples, once again, fish all night and catch nothing. But this time, Jesus—unrecognized at first—stands on the shore and instructs them to simply cast the net on the right side of the boat, right where they were. They obey—and the miracle happens right there near the shore, with no need to sail out into the deep.
What Is Jesus Teaching Us?
Jesus wanted His disciples—and us—to understand a powerful truth:
Miracles are not bound by human effort or logical process. They are born from obedience and faith in God’s word.
There are seasons when God may instruct us to put in effort, to push deeper, to work harder—like launching into the deep. And in that process, He blesses the labor of our hands. But there are also moments when, without much effort, God brings provision right to where we are—close, simple, and unexpected—like casting the net on the other side.
God is not limited to one method. Sometimes, the miracle requires you to “go deep.” Other times, it happens at the “shore.” Either way, it is His word, not our strategy, that brings the breakthrough.
The God of Both Methods
Many people today believe that God only works through hard toil, or that miracles only come when we exhaust ourselves. Others believe only in sudden, effortless miracles. But both are possible with God.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:25–26 (NKJV):
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink… Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
God is both the God who provides manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and the God who blesses the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 28:12). He operates beyond formulas. He is not limited by the economy, education, background, or your present location.
God’s Ways Are Beyond Human Understanding
Romans 11:33 (NKJV):
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”
Our role is to walk with Him, trust Him, and obey His voice—whether He tells us to go into the deep or to cast the net just beside the boat. Both methods produce the same miraculous outcome when done by faith.
Walk with God—Wherever You Are
Whether you are “in the deep” or “at the shore,” your responsibility is to stay close to Christ, to obey His word, and to seek His kingdom first.
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV):
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Don’t delay or give excuses. These are the last days. The Lord is calling you to a deeper walk, to surrender, to faith, to obedience. Whether you are busy with work, family, or responsibilities—make time for God.
Have You Given Your Life to Jesus?
If you haven’t yet made the decision to surrender your life to Christ, now is the time. You do not know what tomorrow holds. The Lord desires a relationship with you. Come to Him by faith and trust Him with your life.
Psalm 27:1 (NKJV):
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 23:1–4 (NKJV):
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want… Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me…”
Let your confidence rest in the One who can work beyond logic, beyond effort, beyond circumstances. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Shalom.