| Finding the Way |
Chapter 14 |
Page 2 |
When the Master bade Peter push out into the deep and let down his nets for a draught, the old fisherman promptly answered, “At Thy word, I will.” He had learned the first lesson in discipleship – prompt, cheerful, unquestioning obedience. According to ordinary fishing rules nothing would come from obeying this command. Yet Peter did not think of that. The word of the Master hand supreme authority with him. It could not possibly be mistaken. No appeal from it was to be considered for a moment. So Peter answered unhesitatingly, “At Thy word, I will.” Peter’s example is to be followed in every case by the Master’s friends. The question of human judgment or opinion is not to be considered when Christ speaks. The best human wisdom is fallible and may easily be mistaken. Men in authority may make mistakes of judgment by which those who are required to follow their direction shall be compelled to suffer harm or loss. On a battlefield a general’s mistake may result in the sacrifice of many lives. Somebody blundered, and the six hundred rode into the valley of death. Ofttimes bad advice has wrecked destinies. Even those who love us most truly may err in the counsel they give us, and may lead us into paths which are not good.
Many people suffer from the ignorance of those whom they trust as guides. But in Jesus Christ we have a Leader Who never errs in wisdom. He never gives wrong advice. He is never mistaken in His decision as to what we ought to do. We are absolutely sure that His commands are both right and wise. Our own opinion and judgment may be against what He bides us to do. It may seem to us from the human and earthly side that the course on which He’s taking us can lead only to disaster. In such cases, it is an immeasurable comfort to us to know that his biddings are always absolutely infallible. When He bids us cast our nets in any particular place, we may be perfectly sure that we shall draw them up full.
Page 2