Surprised at the blessing

How many times has God done something wonderful for us and we’re surprised?  We’ve had the faith and obeyed His commands, but we’re still surprised at the depth of His goodness.  I was reading in Luke chapter 5 this morning, and I saw a perfect example of that.  Jesus had used Simon Peter’s boat for his platform as he spoke to the multitudes crowding in on the shore.  When He was done speaking, He told Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

The fisherman had fished all night and caught nothing.  His energy was low, his faith was low, but he obeyed.  He put it this way, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word, I will let down the net.”   Can’t you just hear the resigned sigh in his voice when he says “nevertheless?”  Sounds like “if you say so” to me. 

Then, when they caught so many fish it almost broke their net and they had to call their partner boat over to hold some of the catch, and both boats were so full they almost sank, Simon Peter felt awful about his earlier doubting.  He fell down on his knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 

Following this is the verse that jumped out at me: “For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken.” I don’t know why we succumb to the doubt that makes us so astonished when God comes through with provision and blessing,  but it’s good to know He understands, and He put an example of it in His word.

~GG