Obeying His Word Even When It Seems Hard
Month 3: Come, Follow Me · Walking in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 5:4-5 & John 14:26
4 When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” — Luke 5:4-5
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. — John 14:26
Memory Verse
“And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.”— Luke 5:11 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 19-22
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 79 of 365 — David on the run, learning to trust God under pressure.)The Heart of It
"Because You say so, I will let down the nets." Peter's whole tired body said this won't work. But he obeyed because Jesus said so. That little hinge is the heartbeat of walking in the Spirit. It means obeying God's word even when our feelings and our logic and our tiredness all vote no. The blessing came on the far side of the obedience, not before it. If Peter had waited until it made sense, the nets would have stayed empty. So often we want God to explain the whole plan before we'll take the first step. But faith lets the net down first, and then watches God fill it.
Here's the wonderful part for us, on this side of the cross. Peter had Jesus standing right there in the boat to tell him what to do. We can't see Jesus with our eyes. But Jesus promised this: "the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you" (). The same Lord who told Peter where to fish now lives inside every believer by His Spirit. He gently nudges us toward obedience. He reminds us of God's Word right when we need it. Walking in the Spirit isn't a mysterious feeling. It's learning to recognize that quiet "let down the net," and then actually doing it, even when it seems hard. The Spirit never forces us. He invites us. Our part is to say, "Because You say so, I will."
Around the Table
The Holy Spirit is God's Helper inside us. He's like a kind voice that says, "Do the right thing!" When we listen, good things happen.
Let's do it: Cup your ear and practice "listening." Then do one quick obedient thing right now. Give a hug, tidy something, or say a kind word.
Peter obeyed even when it didn't make sense. The Holy Spirit helps us hear Jesus and reminds us of His words.
Let's talk: What's something you know is right but feels hard to do? How could the Holy Spirit help you with it?
Jesus promised that the Spirit would teach us and bring God's Word to mind. He guides us, but He never takes away our choice. We still have to say our "yes" to Him.
Let's go deeper: How do you tell the difference between the Spirit's nudge and just your own wants? (Hint: the Spirit always agrees with Scripture, and He grows good fruit in us like love, joy, and peace.)
💬 Conversation Starter
Has anyone ever asked you to do something that seemed pointless, but it turned out great?— That's what Peter felt. And then his boat nearly sank with fish!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some people claim the Holy Spirit is just a "feeling" or some impersonal force. But Jesus called Him "He." He called Him the Advocate who teaches us and reminds us (). Those are things only a person can do. The Spirit is God Himself, here with us in person.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Many believers stall right here. They're waiting to feel led before they'll obey what God has already clearly said. But the Spirit most often confirms our steps as we take them, not before. Gordon Fee, in his great study of Paul, stresses that life in the Spirit is deeply practical. The Spirit's leading shows up in obedience and character and love, not in goosebumps. As a father, your "let down the net" moments are usually unglamorous. Leading family worship when you're drained. Apologizing to a child when pride says don't. Choosing patience at 6 a.m. The Spirit will not bypass your will. He empowers it. So teach your children by example. Walking in the Spirit means saying "because You say so, I will" to the next obvious act of obedience, and then trusting God to bring the catch. Don't wait to feel spiritual. Obey, and the power comes.
Draws on: Gordon Fee, God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul.
Let's Pray Together
"Holy Spirit, thank You for living in us. Thank You for reminding us of Jesus' words. Help us hear Your gentle voice. And help us obey, even when it's hard. We will trust You with what comes next. In Jesus' name, amen."
The Spirit's blessing waits on the far side of my obedience. So I'll let the net down first.