Left vs. Right… Where do you stand?
Take a deep breath; I’m not here to talk about politics. I’m here to talk about the Bible.
Scripture references left and right over 200 times. Symbolically, the right side represents strength, honor, favor, power, and blessing. Conversely, the left hand often represents weakness and opposition.
In light of this week’s devotional from John 21:1-14, let's zoom in on the divine authority associated with God’s right hand. After Jesus was crucified, Peter and the disciples went back to what they knew before the Son of God turned their lives upside down: they went fishing. Relying on their natural skills, they didn’t catch a single fish all night. The reality of their insufficiency must have been demoralizing, compounding the void of Jesus’ absence.
In the morning, the Resurrected Lord called to them from the beach. Hearing of their failure, He responded with a seemingly irrational instruction: “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” They obeyed, and the result was a supernatural catch of 153 large fish.
In a brief exchange, His presence changed everything. The left side of the boat (their own strength and ways) yielded no catch. The right side of the boat (the power and authority of His command and their obedience) brought more than they could have ever dreamed to ask for.
We have joined together in this Revival Covenant to faithfully contend for a supernatural move of God. We are acutely aware of our human insufficiency and the shortcomings of every earthly strategy the Church can muster. We need the supernatural power of Jesus to transform our lives, homes, communities, and world.
But are we throwing our nets on the right side of the boat?
Lord Jesus, I thank You that Your Grace is sufficient and Your Power is perfected in our weakness. I humbly ask for Your help to surrender more deeply to Your Lordship and to seek wisdom from On High. Help us step into faith that takes You at Your Word as we pray and follows Your leading as we work. This broken world needs YOU ALONE. Help us to be vessels of Divine Authority to move mountains and shift realities. Your Kingdom come and Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven… in Jesus' Name.
Jaime Lind
COO, Revive New England