At Your word: The motto that brings results

“But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So, they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.” Luke 5:5-7.

Simon Peter was a fisherman. They had been out fishing all night, with no catch. But when Jesus gave His instruction, Simon chose to believe, and “at Your word” he did what Jesus said – no whys, maybes, or what ifs. This simple act of faith brought miraculous results and a fear in the hearts of Simon and the other fishermen, and they forsook all and became Jesus’ disciples. (Luke 5:8-11.)

“At Your word” is a key watchword in all of life’s situations. All those who have understood this have become rich and happy in God. Their lives’ “boats” are richly laden with God’s wisdom and eternal riches. When Paul came, he came in the fullness of God’s blessing. He was imprisoned, scourged, and beaten, and was in all kinds of tribulations; but he always rejoiced and was full of courage. (2 Corinthians 6:1-10.) He understood the meaning of “At Your word,” and all things turned out bright and well. He always pulled an abundant supply of “fish” into his “boat.”

Examples of obedience of faith – “At Your word”

Abraham received a word from the Lord that he should leave his country and people and go to a land that God had prepared for him. Abraham said, “At Your word” and left, and he was blessed above measure in the end.

We don’t become overly rich with God’s glory in one day. God tested Abraham severely to see if he really loved Him and held fast to His word. Only after Jesus had said, “It is finished!” on the cross did He possess the fullness of God. He increased in God’s wisdom, and the fullness of God came to dwell in Him as the Word became flesh and glory in Him. (Luke 2:52; Colossians 2:9; John 1:14.) The way goes through sufferings and self-denial, and by being faithful in them.

Noah said, “At Your word” and built the ark exactly according to the Lord’s instructions. He built in faith, because he had never seen such a structure, nor had he ever seen someone drown in water. He untiringly proclaimed salvation by the ark, year after year, as he continued to build with the greatest care. In the end, he experienced what he had declared and believed, after his faith had been sorely tried. He did not let go of the Word he had received from the Lord.

The results of obedience to the faith

Blessed are those who have a word from the Lord in the most trying circumstances of life, and who hold fast to it and act according to it in living faith. In Philadelphia, they had seen the importance of keeping God’s word, and Jesus said to them, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3:11. What they had was God’s word. Everything else is folly, which we have to let go of and flee from, because the time is short.

The house of our life will remain standing if we hear God’s word and build according to it. God’s word is eternal, as firm as a rock, and glorious. It makes us into eternal and glorious people who are as firm as a rock for all eternity.

Peter strove all night long and drew in empty, dark nets. We will also end up in the darkness of night and draw in only discouragement and disappointments if we act according to our human reasoning and feelings. Then the way for us is to be thoroughly ashamed of ourselves and to cast ourselves down as Peter did and acknowledge that we are sinners. (Luke 5:8.)

We have truly been called and elected to partake of a rich and blessed life, and the way to it is: “At Your word!” How good it is to be able to say, “At Your word I cast all my cares on You, for You care for me!” instead of allowing ourselves to be oppressed by anxieties and cares about all kinds of things.

The watchword is: “At Your word!” – and it will go well in life and in the ministry!