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I. THE FISHERMEN'S FAILURE.

1. It was simply failure; disgrace did not attend it. They had done their best, and it was not their fault that they were unsuccessful. Better to say, "I toiled all the night, and caught nothing," than, "I cast in the net, and caught one thousand fish without an effort."

2. It was overruled for good. God often teaches that the years of plenty are from Him, by prefacing them with years of famine.

3. It did not produce despair.

4. No faithful toil is without reward. What we call failure is, in God's account, oftentimes brightest success.

II. THE FISHERMEN'S SUCCESS.

1. It was miraculous. In two respects — that they caught so many, and, though the net brake, saved all.

2. But by ordinary means. No success without diligent labour.

3. They had much anxiety — "The net brake." Yet this apparent accident was a source of good — co-operation.

4. Their minds seem to have been pervaded by deepest awe. "They beckoned" — not shouted, as in ordinary circumstances they would have done.

5. To enjoy success, we must have a present Lord.

6. Success should lead us to follow Christ more fully.

(R. A. Griffin.)

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KJV: And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

WEB: When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.