WARM-UP
One thing we have all said to our children and/or our players is “Because I said so.” They may question what we are asking them to do but sometimes there is no better answer at the moment than “Because I said so.” There is a trust factor there between parent and child. We want and expect them to do what we say because they can trust the heart behind why we are saying it. God, as our Heavenly Father, has a desire to have that same trust relationship with us. We can trust what he says because He loves who we are as His children. WORKOUT After Jesus tells Simon Peter and the fishermen to go deeper and cast their nets, Simon replies,
Simon Peter is asking “why” but before Jesus could say anything, Simon Peter replies with one of the greatest words of faith we have, “But if You say so. . . .” We have worked all night and didn’t catch anything, but if You say so. I don’t think it will work, but if You say so.
For us, it may sound like this: Our marriage is struggling, but if You say so, I will keep serving my spouse. I am doing everything according to Your Word, and I don’t see any difference in my family/team, but if You say so, I will stay faithful. Like Peter, what Jesus was saying wasn’t matching up with what they were seeing. But as we learn in Hebrews, “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith isn’t following what we see but who we believe. When the Lord tells Peter and the fishermen to go deeper in the water, He is also wanting them to grow deeper in their faith in the Lord. Deep faith isn’t simply believing in God but believing the words of God. Our spiritual enemy believes in God; he knows there is a God. But faith takes believing the promises and words of God including:
We reset and grow deeper in our faith, not in seeing proof with our eyes, but believing the words of our Lord in our heart and mind because He said so.
WRAP-UP
In what area of your walk with the Lord and relationships with your family do you need to add “Lord, but if you say so?”
Pray together.