Whatever He says to you, do it!

Obedience to the Lord is imperative and sometimes we needlessly create our own obstacles. At the wedding feast in Cana when the wine had run out, Mary said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it (John 2:5).” The servants simply filled the waterpots to the brim with water as they were instructed and drew the same when the Lord Jesus told them to. Not only was the water transformed int

o wine, but it was better than the wine served at the beginning. His disciples believed in Him.

In 2 Kings 5 Naaman suffered from leprosy and a humble maid informed her mistress of the prophet of Samaria who was used by God to perform miracles. Naaman journeyed to Israel in the hope of being healed. Elisha sent a messenger stating that all he was required to do was to wash in the River Jordan seven times. He had brought enormous gifts with him to reward the faithful prophet but that was not required. Naaman was irate since Elisha had sent his messenger instead of appearing in person. He was incensed because he wanted Elisha to perform a dramatic miracle in a certain way and he thought that the waters of Damascus were more fitting than that of the River Jordan.

Throughout the ages and even today some think that religion is merely a consumer product that can be easily purchased. Others are superstitious and make heroic efforts to perform an exaggerated ritual in a particular way and in a designated place and rely on certain people. Some have deep theological knowledge and stay up in the early hours of the morning pontificating the minutiae of minor issues yet have a simple lack of childlike faith and fail to take God at his word. A helpful acrostic for faith is Failing All I Trust in Him. Our focus should be on who He is and not what we think we can do.

A childlike faith is not to be confused with immature childish faith and should never be belittled. The maid had an uncomplicated and profound faith and trusted God whilst Naaman tried to conduct an elaborate and stately procedure for his own healing. Salvation is a free gift requiring that we readily acknowledge our unworthiness and His sufficiency, and place implicit trust in the Lord as the only Saviour. We have no need to get in the way.

He who turned water into wine created the universe, knows everything, is everywhere, and is omnipotent. God speaks to us through the Scriptures, and we should be careful not to add our own pearls of wisdom. Mary had the privilege of being the mother of our Lord and we would do well to heed her advice, “Whatever He says to you, do it. ”

Jon Taylor 21st September 2021