We read in Jonah 2:10, And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. (ESV)
When the fish obeyed
If I were to rephrase the above mentioned verse this is how I would say it, ‘An obedient fish vomited a disobedient prophet out on the dry land’. Jonah disobeyed God, and chose to go in the opposite direction, but the fish that God made was obedient to swallow Jonah, and to later vomit him as God commanded. Inside this obedient fish, Jonah truly repented, turned to God and chose to go to Nineveh as God had originally instructed him. So, in a way the fish that swallowed Jonah was instrumental, in helping the people of Nineveh hear the word of God, through the preaching of Jonah.
What happens when we obey God’s word?
As children of God we are going to understand through this message that by being obedient to the word of God, we will be blessed, and those around us will be blessed as well.
We read in Luke 11:28, Jesus replied, "Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God's word." (GW)
Jesus refers to those who hear and obey the word of God as being those who are greatly blessed.
Today there are many hindrances to hearing the word of God. People find it hard to concentrate on hearing God’s word, as there are far too many distractions. We must ask God to help us listen and obey the word of God, for only in doing so will we have victory, healing and every other blessing.
When Peter obeyed
We read in Luke 5:4, And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”(ESV)
This is the scenario that happened that day on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Peter and his partners who were all fishermen were washing their nets early in the morning. As they did so, Jesus was teaching the word, and the people were crowding in to listen to Him. In order to avoid the thronging crowds, Jesus got into Peter’s boat, and asked that he put the boat a little away from the shore so He could sit down, and teach the crowds from the boat. Peter obeyed Jesus, and gave Him permission to use his boat. As Jesus taught the people, Peter too was probably listening to His teachings. When Jesus had finished His teaching, he asked Peter to go into the deep, and to throw in their nets for a catch of fish.
Many of us have many experiences in our lives which may be good, and may have even taught us many vital lessons for life. However, if there was a conflict between our experiences and God’s word, let us remember that God’s word must take priority, and we must hold firmly to the word only and do what it says.
Peter obeyed despite his previous experiences
We read in Luke 5:5, “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”(NLT)
As soon as Jesus told Peter to let down his nets, Peter reasoned with Jesus based on his previous experience. Peter explained to Jesus that they had toiled the whole night, and had caught nothing. Anyhow, because Jesus said so, Peter said that he was willing to give it one more try. It must have been the word of God that Peter heard that instilled within him the faith to believe in Jesus, and to do as He said.
There are people who do all kinds of jobs, and there are those who strive hard, and end up with nothing substantial. The Lord reminds us in His word that those who love God’s word, obey and live by it, are assured that everything they do will prosper. There are many who think that going to church once a week, and listening to the word will suffice, but this is not so. Think about the number of times we eat during a day to keep our bodies hale and hearty. So also, when we read, listen, and meditate on the word of God as much as we can, we too will be strengthened by God in our inner man. That is why we read in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”(ESV) Every time we have an opportunity to hear God’s word, let us do so, for only then our faith will firmly established and strengthened.
Peter as an experienced fisherman knew that after laboring all night, the chances of catching fish early in the morning was an impossibility. It was most certainly the word that Peter heard from Jesus’ mouth that prompted him to venture out in faith and obedience.
The blessings were plentiful and blessed others too
We read in Luke 5:6, After the men had done this, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. (GW)
As we read these verses in succession, we may understand all that transpired before this miracle happened. Let me explain it to you. When Peter and his partners were washing their nets, they were doing so because they wanted to put aside their boats and nets before going home to rest. They would have ventured out to sea only later in the night as was their usual schedule. However, because Jesus said so, they were willing to take the boat back into the deep, and cast their nets just as Jesus had commanded them.
There are many who are willing to believe, but when it comes to implementing they are hesitant. It is only when one believes and obeys, are they certain to receive God’s blessings which will bless others as well.
We read in Luke 5:7, So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full of fish that the boats were about to sink.(GNB)
Peter’s boat which was empty was filled with fish, and he had to summon his partner’s to bring their boat as well, and both were overflowing with fish they caught that morning. If you are wondering where all this began, it commenced when Peter heard the words of Jesus, which instilled faith in his heart. Not only did Peter listen, he was willing to obey and the consequence was he and everyone with him were greatly blessed.
Let me re-iterate that when we walk in obedience to the word of God, the blessings and miracles are not ours only, but that of those who are associated with us as well.
When Mary obeyed
We read in Luke 1:30-31, “And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (ESV)
The announcement that Mary received from the angel was one that no one had ever heard before. Mary who was a virgin was told that she would conceive, and bear a son. Nonetheless, because the word of God was pronounced by the angel of God, Mary believed.
Oftentimes the word of God that comes to us may seem to be those that are unheard of. Every time we hear the word of God, we must be reminded that God’s word has the power to create something new within us. God created the entire world that we behold with all its beauty with just the word of His mouth. The word of God is a creative word, and therefore can recreate every situation and circumstance that we face in this world.
When the blind man obeyed
We read in John 9:1, As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.(NLT)
In this incident Jesus as Jesus walks by, He saw a man who was born blind.
This is what Jesus did for that blind man as recorded in John 9:6-7, After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground and mixed the spit with dirt. Then he smeared it on the man's eyes and told him, "Wash it off in the pool of Siloam." ([Siloam] means "sent.") The blind man washed it off and returned. He was able to see. (GW)
There are two important aspects of this miracle that I would like to highlight to you. Firstly, Jesus saw the plight of this blind man, and was concerned about it. Secondly, Jesus could have with a word healed that man of his blindness, but instead, He wanted to know if the blind man was willing to believe and obey the words of Jesus. That is the reason why Jesus told Him to go and wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam, which was translated as ‘sent.’ The blind man obeyed and did as Jesus said, and thereby received his sight most miraculously.
Hear this blind man’s testimony about Jesus as recorded in John 9:32, “Since the world began it was never heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind.”(ERV)
This blind man received an astounding miracle that no one had ever experienced since the beginning of the world.
We too as children of God must be willing to walk in complete obedience to the word of God and if we do so, we too are certain to receive our miracles. This blind man’s experience teaches us that when we are ready to believe and obey the Lord, we too can be recipients of miracles that no one has hitherto heard or experienced. God’s word has power, it gives us life and builds our faith, so we can receive signs and wonders that no one has ever received.
God can do the impossible
When the angel of the Lord visited Mary who was a virgin and announced that she would conceive through the Holy Spirit and bear a son, it sounded totally implausible. In that conversation these were the words of the angel to Mary.
This is recorded in Luke 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”(ESV)
All of us as God’s children must believe firmly that nothing is impossible with God. If there are situations that need to change in our personal lives, our family or work, just believe that God is able to do that. Only one thing is required of us that we do exactly as the Lord commands us to do.
The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, However, as the scripture says, "What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him."(GNB)
There are glorious things that God has prepared for those who love Him. These are far beyond our thoughts and comprehension, and they are those that no eye has seen or ear has heard of. All this is available for those who are willing to walk in obedience to the word of God.
We looked at Peter, the disciple of Jesus. Peter’s experience as a fisherman said one thing, but his obedience to Jesus astonished him with a tremendous catch of fish. Then we saw the blind man who was blind from birth who by obedience received his sight, a most mind-blowing miracle that no one had seen since the world began.
Mary too believed the word of the angel of the Lord and these are her words in Luke 1:38, And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.(ESV)
In the above mentioned verse we see that Mary submitted fully to God, and was willing to let God fulfill His promises through her life, in accordance to His word. Mary was willing to be obedient to the word of God though it was not an easy thing to do.
The blessings Mary received
We read in Luke 1:42, Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.(NLT)
Mary received this acclamation from Elizabeth as being the most blessed woman to have been chosen to bear the son of God. So also Peter and the blind man received their blessings only because they were willing to obey, and take Jesus at His word.
We read in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (NKJV)
This indescribable gift is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the priceless gift that God the Father gave to all of mankind, and Mary was that chosen vessel whom God used. When Mary willingly complied with the will of God, she became the blessed one through whom God blessed the entire human race. Let us not assume that Jesus was created, and sent into the world two thousand years ago. Jesus has no beginning or end, He was with God from the beginning, but was only revealed to us when He took on human form, and came down to the earth, and scripture clearly attests to this truth.
Mary was obedient and the first blessing she received was that she was called the most blessed among woman. Secondly, we also read in Luke 1:47, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(ESV) Mary not only bore the Saviour, but her spirit also rejoiced in the salvation that came through Jesus. Salvation is to be freed from our sins, and this freedom comes through Jesus alone.
Though Mary was the mother of Jesus, and was closely associated with Jesus all through His life here on earth, she too kept her faith till the very end of her life.
In Acts 1:14 we read, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”(ESV)
Before His ascension Jesus had instructed His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In that group we recognize that Mary too was there. She remained firm in her faith, for she realized that she too needed to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let all of us as God’s children decide that we will listen to God’s word more and more. As we do our faith will grow, and when this is followed by obedience, we will certainly be blessed immeasurably, so will everyone around us. Just as Peter, Mary and the blind man obeyed, may we too be obedient, and receive the blessings that God has in store for us. We will also thereby become a blessing to many.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
