Astonishment of His Prescence!

This week I’m so blessed to share a blog from Pat. She is a strong supporter of this ministry, and God has truly blessed her with deep insight. Thank you for sharing and commenting on this blog, as well as the redemptive plan coaching podcast. This week, there will be no recording due to a holiday. Enjoy the previous messages that have been recorded.  When was the last time you were astonished by something God said or did in your life or in someone you know’s life? In the story of Simon, we noticed that when he stopped speaking, he said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “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, 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” (Luke 5:4-9 NKJV).

(astonished) adjective greatly surprised or impressed; amazed. To be astonished means to be struck by sudden and great wonder or surprise. It’s a feeling or intense amazement or awe, often leading to being speechless or bewildered. Synonyms include amazed, astounded, and stunned. It can also involve a feeling of wonder or awe, like being in the presence of something magnificent.

Peter does not doubt that he was struck by great wonder or awe, as if being in the presence of “Magnificence.” There were no “I can’t believe it’s” as he fell down at Jesus's knees, saying, “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

Is this our response when the Lord moves in our lives? Have we lost the wonder and awe of His glory due to having become commonplace and familiar with Him? I know He says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). But even in coming boldly, He is still Holy, and He is still Elohim. He is still He who said, “let it be and it was so” Genesis 1:1-Revelation 22:21. He is the same God now as He was then. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). May we stand in His presence astonished. Job said, “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, and that thou shouldst set thy mind upon him?” (Job 7:17), and even David said, “What is man, that thou are mindful of him? And the Son of man, that thou visited him?” (Psalm 8:4).

So we should live in wonderment and awe at the presence and interaction of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He should not be put in a place of commonplace.  We should live in the awe and gratitude of His presence daily. In the astonishment of His caring, and fulfilling His word and promises to us. We as His disciples, should be astonished. “For He and all who were with Him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; (Luke 5:9)

As I received this from Pat this week, I saw something so clear, 1st, I see that they let go and surrender to the provision and the resources of Jesus! Praise God! 2nd the power of His blessings upon us and the illustration of how He provides if we again submit. 3d not in our power but His and almighty goodness and awe of Him.

As you reflect, this Memorial Day of the one’s who paid much for you, also remember Jesus who gave you an abundance of revelation through his ministers of the gospel and through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for reading and sharing this blog this week. We are truly thankful for the one’s who need to know the depth and width of God’s love and we never take it for granted.