Finding Trust in the Deep Waters of Faith

In a world filled with uncertainty, it's easy to find ourselves playing the "what if" game. What if I lose my job? What if I get sick? What if I never find love? These questions can consume our thoughts, leaving us feeling anxious and unsure about the future. But amidst these doubts, there's a profound truth we often overlook: we can trust God, even when it's difficult to see Him working in our lives.
Trusting God isn't always easy. We live in a tangible world where we can see our bank accounts dwindling or witness tension in the news. It's challenging to put our faith in something we can't physically see or touch. Some of us may have experienced disappointment when our prayers weren't answered in the way we expected. These experiences can make it hard to fully surrender our trust to God.
However, the story of Simon Peter in Luke 5:1-11 offers us a powerful lesson in trust and obedience. Jesus, standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, asked Simon to take his boat out into deep water and let down his nets for a catch. Simon, an experienced fisherman, had just spent a fruitless night fishing. Logically, this request didn't make sense to him. Yet, he responded with a profound statement of faith: "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets."
This moment teaches us an essential truth: we don't have to understand completely to obey immediately. Often, what God asks us to do doesn't make sense from our limited perspective. But like Simon, we're called to trust and obey, even when it feels unreasonable or even foolish.
Two prayers can help us cultivate this kind of trust:

1. "Lord, help me to OBEY You even when I don't UNDERSTAND."
2. "Lord, help me surrender what I cannot control."

These prayers acknowledge our human limitations while expressing our desire to trust God fully. They remind us that the smallest acts of obedience can lead to the biggest blessings and miracles.
Proverbs 3:5-6 beautifully encapsulates this idea: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight." The Hebrew word for "trust" here, batakh, means "to cling to." To truly trust God, we must let go of whatever else we've been clinging to – our own understanding, plans, desires, or comfort zones.
This letting go is challenging. We're wired to lean on our own understanding or the wisdom of those around us. But when we release our grip on these temporal securities and cling to the Rock that never fails, we discover a deeper, more profound sense of peace and purpose.
Clinging to God means holding fast to His promises:

• He cares for us and invites us to cast our anxieties on Him.
• He provides for all our needs.
• He works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
• He will never leave or forsake us.
• He draws near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

When we cling to these truths, the illusions of security we once held onto fade away in the presence of God's goodness and faithfulness.
Simon's story reminds us that big miracles often follow simple acts of obedience. When he obeyed Jesus and let down his nets, they caught so many fish that their nets began to break. This miraculous catch led Simon to recognize Jesus as the Holy One, falling at His feet in awe and reverence.
Jesus' response to Simon's humility is touching: "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." With these words, Jesus elevated Simon's life purpose, using his existing skills for an even higher calling. In response, Simon and his companions "pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him."
This moment of surrender – leaving behind their nets, which represented their livelihood and security – is a powerful example for us. What are the "nets" in our lives that we need to surrender? What are we holding onto for security that we need to entrust to God?
Surrendering what we cannot control is a significant step of faith. It might be our future, finances, health concerns, relationships, or career. While we don't always have the power to control our circumstances, we always have the power to surrender them to God.
As Psalm 20:7 reminds us, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." In our modern context, we might be tempted to put our trust in the economy, political leaders, or our own abilities. But true peace comes from trusting in the unchanging nature of God.
If you find yourself at the end of a frustrating day or season, remember that this is often when miracles happen. Simon's incredible catch came after a night of fruitless labor. If you're tempted to give up hope – whether it's for your marriage, your financial situation, or a long-held dream – remember that your story isn't over. God is still good, still present, and still in control.
As we navigate the deep waters of life, let's choose to trust God even when we don't understand. Let's have the courage to let go of our own plans and cling to the everlasting goodness and grace of our God. For while some may trust in what they can see, we put our faith in the unseen but ever-present goodness of God.
In the end, trusting God is not about having all the answers or understanding every step of the journey. It's about being willing to step out in faith, to let down our nets in deep waters, and to surrender our control to the One who holds all things in His hands. As we do, we may just find ourselves amazed at the abundance He provides and the purpose He reveals for our lives.