Returning to What is Familiar

Warrior's Arise: August 7th, 2020

John 21:1-4 (NKJV) After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.”

When your world has been turned upside down, like the disciples, you want something to be stable, you want to return to something normal, you want something you can find comfort in, you want to have a sense of stability. The Sea of Galilee is significant to Peter. Not only is this the place where he grew up and began the family business but it is also where Jesus called to him.

Matthew 4:18-20 (NKJV) And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

In the uncertainty of the time and still trying to get their minds wrapped around the idea that Jesus is alive, they seek familiar territory.

I remember after heading to college there are some pretty rough times. Things were not working out the way I had imagined. Some situations were way beyond my control and I just wanted to go home. I didn't want to quit college, but I wanted the difficult situations to pass like a storm. I wanted to hide in the haven of my parent's home, be given the wisdom needed for all to work out and receive encouragement to face the adversities hounding me. I wanted to return to a safe place where I receive strength.

Most of the disciples were from the area of Galilee. This would be a safe place where they would be strengthened to return to their calling. This was were Jesus had called to them. Jesus had said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Do you find it odd that not one Gospel records the disciples returning to Galilee and telling everyone, or their families that Jesus is alive? Oddly, they return to Galilee and go fishing.

My mind is a little baffled because we do not see in Scripture that the disciples have told their families Jesus is alive. They know a number of disciples who have seen Jesus alive. The ten saw Jesus alive and then Jesus returns to the disciples again so Thomas can remove all doubt. But we do not hear any of them telling anybody that Jesus is alive. The women return from the tomb and they tell Peter and the disciples that Jesus is alive. Mary returns after speaking to Jesus and tells them that Jesus is alive. The two men walking to Emmaus share that Jesus is alive and Simon has also seen Jesus and told others that Jesus is alive. But there is no record of the eleven disciples telling anybody that Jesus is alive. They have seen Jesus. They have touched His nail-pierced hands and side. They have eaten with Jesus. Why is there no record of them telling others that Jesus is alive?

What is holding them back? Even if they tell people and they don't believe, they could ask the people to go with them to Galilee; because Jesus has promised to meet them there.

Instead, they return to the Sea of Galilee. Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade before he knew Jesus. He says he is going fishing and they all go with him. Several of them had fished since they were toddlers, when their dad took them out on the boat for the first time. They had more fish stories than could be told in one night. It is so nice to get back and do something that is solid, familiar, and concrete evidence to a good day's/night's work. Returning to fishing would bring a since of comfort and personal satisfaction. It also gave them something to do. They had not arrived but were on their way to meet Jesus and decided to go fishing.

• Before you had heard of COVID-19 what had God told you to do for this year? Are you doing it?

• Before people announced we were in a state of quarantine what had God told you He would do in your time this year? Have you let Him?

• Before the word pandemic was declared what had God said would be the purpose of your year? Are you following God's purpose?

• Before the rioting began where was God directing your steps? Are you walking in step with God?

• Before the politicians began trying to manipulate the voters what had God said were the important issues of this election? Are you prepared to vote according to the issues God says matter to Him?

It doesn't really matter what has happened in the past 6 months when God told you His plan before the chaos hit. Remember what God said and meet Him there. When we meet God where He has told us He would be, we will find the peace, direction, courage to overcome the enemy and press through the circumstances. Remind yourself what God said before the chaos. Stay on God's course.

Father, I ask for You to come. It is so easy to return to places that bring comfort. But I do not want those places to delay meeting with You, being where You have called me to be. I ask for You to minister courage to keep praying and pressing in for Your resolve of the pandemic. I pray You would direct my path in this economic struggle. Open doors for our God-given purpose to be established. I ask to have perserverence to continue seeking Your face and calling upon Your name. I ask to be reminded of the things You shared before the pandemic arrived. I ask to be reminded and for You to remind the people what is important to You. I ask for Your people to step out of the way of the mudslinging of the politicians and for people to remember what is truly important in this election. I pray we will be a people who will humble ourselves before You and seek Your face in this election. I pray we will remove all fear of COVID-19 and prepare to return to school and to work. I pray You would bring peace to those who are fearful. I ask You to intervene, kill viruses all over the world, restore Your people all in a moment. Let Your the power of Your love be known and the people to see You intervene on their behalf. I ask for Your kingdom to come, Your will be done in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.