In our women’s Bible study this week, the author and presenter of the study asked this question: Is there an area in your life where your response to “and God said” needs to be, “and it was so?“
The study is a birds-eye view of the story of scripture. We are just beginning, and so this past week, we read and discussed Genesis 1 and 2.
In the creation story, we read:
- And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light
- And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” … And it was so.
- And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so.
- Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.
- And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night…” And it was so.
- And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds….” And it was so.
We can’t help but notice that all creation obeyed God, the light, water, land, plants, animals. God said … and it was so. This reminded me of the night when Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. It had been a busy day. Jesus had healed the leper, the Centurion’s servant, and Peter’s mother-in-law. Crowds were following after Jesus, and He said He wanted to cross the lake. He fell asleep in the boat – I can only imagine His exhaustion! A sudden storm blew up on the lake; waves were washing over the boat. Think about it. That boat was rocking, the wind was howling, and Jesus was sleeping. Such an excellent picture of faith! The disciples wake Him up – don’t you care we are about to drown!?! These were fishermen who were afraid – it must have been rough! Jesus spoke to the wind and waves, commanded them to cease, to behave themselves! Listen to what follows next! Matthew tells us that the men on the boat were astonished that the winds and waves would obey Him!
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
Colossians 1:15-17 NLT
He existed before anything was created and
is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and
authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
Paul clarifies for us in his letter to the Colossians that Jesus was present at the creation – not surprising that the wind and waves obeyed Him that night on the Sea of Galilee!
The Christian life is not about striving to be good, not about checking off all the commands we do and do not follow. But it is about growing in our relationship with the God of creation, our creator, our king, and our father! HE has authority and power over our lives to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus! What a joy and privilege to bow our knees before Him! We obey because Jesus loves us – loves us with the same love the Father has for the Son!
And yes – back to the original question. Is there an area in your life where your response to “and God said” needs to be, “and it was so?” We MUST ask the Spirit of God to search our hearts! Here are just a few commands that come to my mind … how about for you?
(1) God says, “Do not be afraid!”
(2) God says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”
(3) God says, “Pray without ceasing.”
(4) God says, “Do not quench the Spirit.”
(5) God says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.”
In what areas are you hearing God call to you? In what areas are you not responding to the great love shown in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection? What hinders you from submitting to the work of the Spirit in your life?
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.Then in fellowship sweet
John H. Sammis, 1887
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
