Just Like That

Warriors Arise: September 14, 2020

John 21:6-7 (NKJV) And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.

The disciple who knew the love Jesus had for him is the first to recognize the man standing on the shore, giving them instruction, the one providing the overflow is the Lord. Jesus didn't have to but He did. We can be trapped thinking that someone has to be in a dire need for a miracle from God for it to become reality. There is nothing to suggest that the disciples were wasting away to nothing, because of the long journey from Jerusalem. Nor that they needed to stock up on food before they headed to the mountain to meet Jesus. Jesus didn't have to send a miracle their way. There is nothing to even suggest that the disciples prayed that they would catch fish. Catching fish probably seemed like a no-brainer with four of the disciples being brought up in the fishing industry.

But it wasn't a no-brainer. They fished all night. When morning came they didn't go in to shore. They remained out on the sea with the intent of continuing the task. But then, Jesus, just because He could, just because He cared, called out to them, gave them instructions. They did as He said and they have more fish than they can pull into the boat. A miracle. Just like that.

We can get trapped thinking:

God only does miracles for those who need the miracle.

God only does miracles for those who have nowhere else to go.

God only does miracles for those who have nothing left.

God only does miracles when you are at your end.

God only does miracles for desperate people in desperate situations.

That couldn't be further from the truth. God does miracles whether you and I are at our end or not. God is not limited in when He can do the miraculous. Sometimes He just wants to do the miraculous; because it helps us out and it takes some of the stress out of our lives. Sometimes God does the miraculous just to show He cares about the little things. He speaks and just like that, the miracle happens.

God is an awesome Father. As a parent, He gives gifts just because we are His children. You and I give gifts to our children not because they ask but because we know we can help them out. My parents do this all the time for me and my family. They canned tomatoes this week and had leftover so they gave us the leftover tomato sauce. They could have made something for themselves but they didn't. They gave to us. Are we out of canned tomatoes? No, but we didn't have to use a can of tomatoes when they had given us fresh tomato sauce. That doesn't seem like much, and neither does Jesus helping the disciples to catch fish. However, it was done with love. I am a child of my parents and when Jesus speaks to His disciples He calls, "Children, have you any food?" Jesus was addressing them with the love of the Father and just like that, He demonstrated God's love.

I can't answer why God doesn't express His love in the "big" miracles. He will have to answer that. And I encourage you to ask and be at peace that He is working all things our for Your good. Meaning, He is not done, it is not over. What I can say, is that just because you haven't gotten your big miracle yet doesn't mean the Father's love isn't providing miracles along the way that you may not even recognize. Just like that, our heavenly Father intervenes and works on our behalf.

Father, I am thankful for all the times You have made a way out of a situation when I was struggling. I am thankful for all the miracles I didn't even know were You. I am sure there are more than I could count. Even so, I will not stop believing Your best for my life. I will not stop believing You will release the miracle I need in my life today. I will turn to You and pray again. I will persist in prayer and fight the good fight. I will call upon the name of the Lord and declare His good works become reality. I ask in the name of Jesus for You to pour down rain to snuff out the fires on the West coast. I ask for mercy upon the people who have lost everything in the fires. I pray for Your protection to go before the firemen and women and You to be their rear guard. I pray You would keep their lungs clear and each one to be hydrated throughout the fight against the fire. We need a miracle to stop these fires. We look to You. Firefighters are doing everything they can but they need You. I ask for each one to know Your are with them. I pray each one would hear Your voice in what they are to do and where to go. Father, come and see the need of those who have answered the call to help others in need. Each one needs You. Without You this fire will not be extinguished. Just like the fires that rage on the West coast, so to the fires of hatred in our cities. I ask for the same protection to be with our police officers. I ask for each one to know You are with them. I pray they would listen to You as they answer each call. I pray they would do as You instruction. I pray You would get them home safely after every shift in Jesus' name. I pray for You to extinguish the fires of rage in each person who continues to stir the pot of lies, looting and rioting. I pray for You to make their efforts come to nothing and the people they are bullying to be protected and provided for in Jesus' name. With all the chaos and disaster over the last few months, You have done miracles all over the world. I ask for You to open the eyes of the people to see where You have intervened. I pray they would acknowledge Your love and walk with You from this day forward in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.