So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
Luke 5:1–2

There are many lessons for us to learn in the life of Peter. One such lesson is found near the beginning of his encounters with the Lord Jesus. When looking at the first eleven verses of Luke chapter five, we might ask a few questions: How do we respond to failure (vv. 1–2)? How do we respond to authority (vv. 3–5)? How do we respond to success (vv. 6–8)? And lastly, how do we respond to a life of faith (vv. 9–11)?

Today, let’s consider how we respond to failure. For many, failure feels unbearable. Some see failure as the end of the road. But for the one who surrenders everything to Christ—even failure—failure does not have to be final. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.”

These experienced fishermen returned after a full night of labor with empty nets. Simon (Peter) would later testify, “We have toiled all night and caught nothing” (v. 5). It is easy for us, who may look at fishing as sport or hobby, to overlook the reality that this was their livelihood. Empty nets meant no income—no provision for their daily needs.

Yet what were they doing? They were washing their nets. They were preparing to go back out again. Cleaning the nets was not the action of men who had given up. It was the action of those who understood how necessary clean nets were. If the nets were not cared for, small weeds and debris could dry into them, and small creatures could bore into the fibers. Such things would weaken and rot the nets, hindering future success.

Just as it was important for these fishermen not to give up, but to wash their nets, it is important for us not to allow setbacks, failures, or obstacles—large or small—to cause us to quit. We are to keep short accounts of sin in our lives, confessing it before the Lord (1 John 1:9). We are to be watchful, “lest anyone fall short of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15).

Anchor For Today:
Do not let your failure be final. Keep your nets clean—and allow the Lord Jesus to take over your boat.