Be Fruitful II

“ For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” 
- Matthew 25:14-15 (NKJV) 

In the last reading, we explored the concept of fruitfulness. Today, we will look at one of the parables Jesus shared in our anchor text Matthew 25:14-19. A fruitful person takes what God has given and engages with it to get results. Effort is good but is it the result that brings promotion. The irony is most people are trying, maybe trying very hard, but the forces fighting them prevent their results from showing. In Luke 5:5, Peter’s statement expressed perfectly the concept of working without results.

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless  at Your word I will let down the net. (Luke 5:5 NKJV)

This is one of the reasons why we need to be careful when judging others. Imagine making a casual joke about Peter on the riverbank, saying he is not making any effort to land a “fish gig.” He was a professional fisherman, well-trained and experienced. Before saying he lacked the necessary skills, remember he had been fishing all his life. If your net catches a fish, give thanks to God. Do not look down on the one who has been toiling all night with nothing to show, for you have no idea what they are going through. Peter was in the same situation—much effort, no result.

Maybe, yours is not a fishing expedition. Maybe your effort is in a business, your career, challenging marriage or relationship, or even a health situation. A net-breaking catch is coming!

Fruitfulness begins where obedience meets His Word.

So then, what changed Peter situation? Still on Luke 5:5, is a statement subtly written but loaded with tremendous power: “At Your word”. The Word of God is able to transform a hopeless situation to a fruitful one. Before Jesus spoke, the probability of Peter catching fish—based on the evidence of the night—was zero. Once Peter obeyed and let down the net again at Jesus’ word, the probability became not natural but supernatural.

Life often feels like Peter’s night, endless effort, empty nets, no results. Maybe it’s your work, your prayers, or your dreams. By your calculation, the probability looks like zero. Sarah had a similar zero probability concerning conception. In Romans 4:19, the Bible describes her womb as dead, yet she still gave birth to Isaac at His word. God is not bound by our equations. One word from Him can turn nothing into something, emptiness into overflow, despair into hope.

Faith lives in the space between zero and one. Faith says with Peter, “Nevertheless, at Your word…” Even when the math does not add up, and it make no sense from human standpoint, God can rewrite the formula! Cast your net again.

Song

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, 

Just to take Him at His Word; 

Just to rest upon His promise, 

Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!” 

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! 

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; 

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! 

Oh, for grace to trust Him more! 

Casting Crowns- ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus 

Prayer – Lord, everything that is causing my work not to be noticed, be swallowed up in Jesus name. Today, marks the end of labor without result in my life and family. I am fruitful and I manifest my fruitfulness. I receive my promotion this day in Jesus name

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Bible in 1 year: Ezekiel 8-10; Hebrews 13