2/26 Luke 5:8

⁸ But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

One day when Jesus was teaching on the shore of Galilee, the crowds were pressing against Him. Jesus climbed into Peter's boat and asked that Peter move it a little ways from the shore. When Jesus finished teaching, He asked Peter to go fishing. Peter had just finished washing his nets after a long night of fishing and catching nothing. Tilapia galilaea, now called "Peter's fish," would come to the surface at night. Nevertheless, Peter cast off and gave it a try. When they cast their nets, they were filled to the point of almost breaking and they had to call to their partners to help with the catch. Both boats were filled to the point of almost sinking.

Our verse today is Peter's response. Peter had already met Jesus and heard it said that He was the Messiah (John 1:41). Now Peter believes it! The first thing Peter thought of was his own sinfulness. When we become aware of the presence of holiness, our sin stands out in contrast. Peter did not feel worthy to be around Jesus. Jesus' response was, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men" (Luke 5:10).

The Bible is so accurate in describing human nature. When we hear the call of God, we think God has the wrong number. How could God use us, as sinful as we are? But then God speaks to our hearts something very similar to the words He spoke to Peter. "Don't be afraid, from now on you will . . ." He gives us our heavenly assignments and begins to clean up our lives. We just don't realize how powerful God is, to clean up our lives, to work through even us, and to equip us for what He has called us to do. Don't be afraid. Trust Him!

Consider: To fall on our knees and recognize our sinfulness is appropriate, but don't underestimate what God can do with whomever He chooses. The more we recognize our inability, the more we will give God the glory and depend upon Him.