TRUSTING GOD

 

DO I REALLY TRUST GOD?

• Most of us would say “I want to trust God.”

• Some might say “God has let me down.”

 

1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God.  2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.  4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 

 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.  8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”  9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.  10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”  11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.  Luke 5:1-11 NLT

 

GOD HELP ME TO TRUST YOU WHEN I DON’T WANT TO.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing.”  Luke 5:4-5 NLT  

 

GOD HELP ME TO TRUST YOU WHEN I’M WEARY.

5a “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing.”  Luke 5:5a NLT

 

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

 

GOD HELP ME TO TRUST YOU WHEN IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE.

• Faith and fear are polar opposites. 

• If your trust and faith in the Lord is high, your fear and worry level will be low.

 

YOU DON’T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY, TO TRUST GOD COMPLETELY.

5b “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. Luke 5:5b-9 NLT

• But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.

• Sometimes a single step of obedience leads to a second step with more understanding.

• Sometimes we won’t understand until later in life.

• The outcome is God’s responsibility—Obedience is yours. 

 

LORD HELP ME TO OBEY EVEN WHEN I DON’T UNDERSTAND.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

 

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 NIV

 

THEY LEFT EVERYTHING AND FOLLOWED JESUS.

10b Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:10b-11 NLT  

• They trusted Jesus with everything.

• They surrendered what they had always done for something better.