Nevertheless Moments

... Now when He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.  Luke 5:4-11

When Simon said, "Nevertheless at your word," he was really saying, "Fine, just because its you asking I'll do it."  I wouldn't be surprised if a heavy sigh and or an eye roll had accompanied it! He only obeyed because it was Jesus.  He in no way thought fish were a possibility.  We know this because he asked Jesus to forgive him and it said that he and all who were with him were all astonished at the catch.

Why? Why do we see the word nevertheless?  Jesus was just asking him to fish. He wasn't asking him to do anything hard. So, why the attitude?  Why wasn't he jumping in with a positive response, anticipating the outcome?  Why? Because he did what we sometimes do, prejudge the outcome based on our own thoughts and experience.  Simon thought he was a fisherman and based on his knowledge he felt it was pointless to cast his net!

Jesus knew they hadn't caught anything all night. He knew they had been toiling and he wanted to bless them. I think it was His good pleasure to overwhelm them with the outcome!

Jesus took this "nevertheless" moment and renewed their calling. They thought they were experienced fishermen and Jesus thought of them as "fishers of men!"

Note: Remember that He can accomplish astonishing results even in the midst of our "nevertheless" attitudes. Trust that His thoughts are not our thoughts and at HIS WORD, CAST OUT YOUR NET!