“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets” (Prov. 26:13 KJV).
There is no time for fear and laziness in the kingdom of God. In fact, the slothful man makes excuses for not doing what God has called him to do. Sure there is some danger out there. It is hard and it’s unfair out there. However, God never told you that there was no danger out there. But He did say that He is with you.
In Psalm 91 He said “I will be with you in trouble.” He said He would equip you for the battle. So even though many others fail, that won’t be the case for you, if you are walking in faith. There shouldn’t be any fear of failing for you.
I have talked to many ministers who ask me how I became successful. Many times I find they were fearful to step all the way out there in doing what God called them to do. They didn’t want to launch out into the deep as Jesus instructed Peter in Luke 5:4: “…Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
The first thing Peter does is to start argue with Him. I argued with the Lord about why I couldn’t be a pastor, because I was afraid I would fail. Once I got rid of the fear and just obeyed Him and leaned on Him, I succeeded. Look at what Peter said in verse 5: “…Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
So fear to him was that he would waste his time if he went out into the deep. He had tried it already. He was not in a motorized boat. So to get out in the deep they were going to have to row out there; and that takes time and energy. But he didn’t stop there.
Peter said just because you said it, Jesus, I am going to let down the net (singular). The result was a great multitude of fish, so big that their net broke and they had to call their partners for assistance. He obeyed God and the end result was success.
You have got to get rid of fear to go out into the deep. Peter had fear that Jesus was not going to perform what He said. And that is why people will only go so far. They are not sure God really meant what He said.
But when you know Him as the God of love, you will know that He means what He says and will only cause you to succeed as you obey Him.
Scripture References: Galatians 3:11; Genesis 12:1
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).