Toiling All Night
The Sapphire Review Vol. 2 | No. 9 • February 28, 2025
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luke 5:5, KJV
Fishing Account
In this story we pick up at a scene where Simon, and those who were with him, had labored all night fishing. When Jesus found them, they were cleaning their nets and wrapping up from the night’s arduous work.
These skilled fisherman had only disappointment and exhaustion to show from their hours of toil. The fruit which they had hoped for of a bountiful gathering of fish had been kept from them on this night. Even one basket of fish would have been gladly welcomed by these men who had finished pouring all of their strength into a particular work that they had set their minds upon. Yet, they had nothing to show for all of their efforts.
Jesus, after preaching a message from Simon’s boat, then asks him to perform the very thing that he had just finished doing for hours, yielding no results. Fishing was laborious work, yet despite being tired and having nets which had already been cleaned, Peter submits and surrenders his will and his thoughts to that which Jesus has asked of him.
The result of his obedience was a catch of fish so large that the net began to break.1 This miracle left the fishermen in awe before their Savior2 and brought Peter down humbly before His knees:
“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8, KJV)
Reflection
From this story, we can draw out a lesson of labors that are done by our efforts and desires alone as compared to those which are in full surrender and alignment with the will of God in our lives.
It is true that Jehovah will withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly,3 and that He works all things for good in the lives of those that love him and are called according to His purpose.4 He grants every request that is made in alignment with His will,5 but It is also true that many prayers are not answered in the way that they are asked as a result of one asking with selfish motives.6
There are times in life where one may find themselves laboring to the point of exhaustion down a particular road, or finding themselves run down by one difficulty after another and yet always coming short of that which they desire.
Perhaps God is allowing these things for their sanctification and for the development of their character. Fiery trials are an effective means of purifying us and helping us grow to become more like Jesus.7
On the other hand, one may find themselves toiling all night, with nothing to show for it, when they are laboring for something or in a direction that God has not spoken to be for their good or for His purposes.8 Maybe God has prompted for things to go in one direction while the believer’s desire is to go in another direction, or for that which God has prompted to be done in their own timing rather than waiting patiently for His.
Such efforts will bear no fruit in the life of a believer, but will leave them only to be seemingly “kicking against the pricks,”9 while remaining exhausted or going in circles with no forward progress.
If one finds themself in this place of struggle, consideration must be given as to whether it is the will of God that they are truly seeking or their own. Are they seeking and asking that they may be used of God, that He may be glorified, that they might be a useful vessel to bless others, or simply that they might consume things for themselves?10
When a place of surrender is reached, our own desires are set aside, and the steps of obedience are made to do that which Jesus has asked us to do, things will quickly fall into place. The labors of our strength which previously bore no fruit will now overflow to the glory of God. That which we need will be given and anything withheld is not for our good.
PRAYER
May God help us to lay aside any desire and ambition in our hearts that are focused upon ourselves rather than the glory of Jehovah God and His Son, Jesus Christ. In so doing, may He lead us to pray and labor toward only that which He has called for our lives.
God Bless,
Charles
