Night

Have you ever heard anyone say “it’s been a long hard night?” I am sure we all have had long nights before; I want to look today at some night time experiences and see what made the difference. In John chapter six we see the disciples in a ship rowing hard against the wind and the waves and were getting nowhere. Then all of a sudden they see Jesus walking upon the water and the Bibles says they were afraid.

John 6:19  So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. Seems strange Jesus the one that can and will help in time of trouble and they are afraid. Then comes the words of comfort

John 6:20  But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. In the next verse the Disciples responded

John 6:21  Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. On a night of toiling the answer was Jesus. Then there was the night of failure found in John chapter 21. Here we find these disciples doing what they know how to do and it all looks like failure.

John 21:3  Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. It appears as if a whole night had been wasted but that is not the case at all for the next verse reads

John 21:4  But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. What? Do these men who walked with Jesus for the last three year know Him or not? Wait before we get to down on these poor guys; you and I say we know Him and then when something go wrong or not as we think it should have gone, do we not do the same? We get afraid or we don’t recognize that He is in our presents; when we are told that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Once again Jesus is the answer to these disciples problem. 

John 21:5  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

John 21:6  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. They once again didn’t question; in the night of fighting they received Him willingly, in the night of failure they obey Him completely and the blessing; well you tell me in the night of fighting their destination was met immediately. In the night of failure they were able to sit at the table with Jesus. When you and I go through the hard times in our life, the nights of fighting and failure come; just remember the answer will always be Jesus. Look back on this past year and see if that has not been the case. When you and I are in control there will be times of fear, failure and fighting it will more than likely our faith has gotten weak. The answer is simple, JESUS!