We Shall Not Labor In Vain
By: David McFadden
We Shall not Labor in Vain, By Charles H. Spurgeon
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” — Luke 5:4
We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human engagement. The large catch of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were ignored— all were used to take the fishes.
So it is in the saving of souls. God works by human means, but it is in the power of His grace that call men out of darkness. Even so, God is pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. When God works by His divine power, doubtless He is glorified. But He has Himself selected the plan to use people and the gifts He gave them. Through this plan He is most magnified in the earth.
Plans, agendas and programs of themselves are utterly ineffective without the Holy Spirit’s influence and Jesus’ power to save. “Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing.” What was the reason for this? Were they not fishermen plying their special calling? We know that they were not rookies; they understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskillfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in schools. What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? “Without Him we can do nothing.” But with Christ we can do all things.
Christ’s presence confers success. Jesus sat in Peter’s boat, and by His will, a mysterious influence drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in His Church, His presence is the Church’s power—the shout of a king is in the midst of her. “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” Let us go out this morning on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and around us in solemn resolve. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labor in vain, for He who bids us to let down the net, will fill it with fishes.
—Charles H. Spurgeon, adapted from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening. All rights reserved.
Taking God’s Word Back to Him
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me to fish for men’s souls. Thank You for the power of Your Spirit to mysteriously capture the hearts of men as I cast the net of the gospel message. Thank You for Your wisdom to empower me by Your Spirit, otherwise I would be boastful and ineffective. LORD, help me live and move and have my being in Jesus and be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit in all things. Help me proclaim each day to lift Jesus up before men so You can draw them to repentance through Your goodness. Without You I can do nothing that has eternal value, but with You I can fill the nets with saved souls. I proclaim Your work of salvation in me in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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