Sometimes hard work does not pay off.

Luke 5:5 "Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again."

Sometimes hard work does not pay off. We can put all of our energy into a task and still not be rewarded for our efforts. Simon and his fellow fishermen had just spent the night fishing and didn't catch a thing. I have never fished for a living, but I have done a lot of fishing over the years.

Sometimes, the fish won't bite, regardless of how long you fish or how hard you try. Jesus told Simon to try one more time. Even though the fishermen were tired and frustrated at their lack of success, they obeyed the Lord. We must never give up doing what the Lord gives us to do. We may not get the results we desire, but we must remain faithful. We never know when the reward for our labors will come. We may see it in our lifetime and we might not. It is not up to us to determine the results or when it will happen. The Lord will reward our faithfulness in his perfect timing and way. If we give up too soon, we may hinder the work the Lord seeks to accomplish through us. Someone else may be rewarded instead of us.

Our lack of obedience will not keep the Lord's will from being done, but it will keep us from being rewarded for the accomplishment of the task. Simon did what Jesus told him to do, even though he may have thought there was no use to do it.. When he did obey the catch was so great that the fishermen could barely haul the catch into shore. Never doubt what the Lord can do through you if you are faithful to the end. Never quit doing what the Lord has given you to do. Great is your reward in heaven and perhaps even on earth.