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And it Came to Pass
Over 400 times in the bible, the phrase “And it came to pass” is mentioned. Here are just a few;
Genesis 8:13 (KJV) After Noah & his family landed with the ark.
And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
God provided safety.
Exodus 17:10-12 (KJV) Moses leading the Jewish during battle
So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
God provided victory.
Judges 16:24-26 (KJV) Philistines had captured Samson and were having a good time making fun of Samson.
And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.
And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house: and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
God honored His promise.
Matthew 9:10-11 (KJV) Jesus eating with “unworthy” people
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
Luke 16:21 -23 (KJV) Rich man and poor man
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom:
the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 2:1-3 (KJV) Probably most known version
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
What is common about all of these situations? They came to pass. They were here for a time, but then they passed.
Look at some of these fads from the past fifty years.
· Poodle skirts
· Doo Wap music
· Flower children
· Beatniks
· Disco clothes & music
· Pet rocks
· Dance fads
· Television shows
Many people who had their 15 minutes of fame. All had this in common, they were here for a time, but they passed.
Mark Lowry claims his favorite verse to be, “And it came to pass...” As he interprets it, “Whatever we’re going through, it didn’t come to stay.” The verse applies everywhere: although this was largely intended for humor, here is some deep spiritual meaning behind it.
· You young 18-year-old jocks that have muscles in your earlobes and piles of hair, enjoy them. They will pass.
· You young girls with the great looks and shape, enjoy them. They will pass.
· Those enjoying great peace, wealth, health, everything’s going good, enjoy it. It will pass.
Even more:
· Those facing health issues, work issues, financial strains, hold on. They will pass.
· Those facing family issues, difficulty with children, hold on. They will pass.
· Maybe you’re facing marriage difficulties, hold on and turn to God. They will pass. (As a side note, turn to GOD-not friends, not relatives, and especially not to a person of the opposite sex. Rely on God and seek Him, He will guide and provide.)
Are you having a bad week? Hold on, it’ll pass. You having a good week...? Hold on, it’ll pass. Especially remember if this period of your life has been really difficult.
“It came to pass...”“It didn’t come to stay, it came to pass.. either it’ll pass or you’ll pass!”
I can, as most of you can, vouch that at times, life can be somewhat difficult. I’m reminded of a story I from my Mother a few years back. It was a book;
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
From the moment he wakes up with gum in his hair, things just do not go Alexander’s way. At breakfast, Alexander’s brothers Nick and Anthony reach into their cereal boxes and pull out amazing prizes, while all Alexander ends up with is . . cereal. The situation does not get any better at school, in fact it gets worse. No wonder Alexander wants to move to Australia! In Australia, everything is upside down, so maybe a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day can become a wonderful, terrific, really good day. After school, Alexander encounters even more bad news when he visits the dentist and goes shopping for sneakers with his mother and brothers. And Alexander’s father isn’t at all happy with him when the boys visit his office and Alexander gets a little carried away with the new copying machine! This terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia! At the end, Alexander just wants to eat worms.
When the world is falling down around you and you don’t feel like you can make it, we can give in to the troubles in our lives or we can remember that God is with us and head forward seeking what He has for us next.
Life has often been compared to a series of storms. You’re either in the middle of one, just coming out of one, or getting ready to go into one. If you’re in one now, hold on-God is with you. If you’re just coming out of one, praise God for bringing you through it. If you’re getting ready to enter one, draw close to God and He’ll take care of you and comfort you. If everything in your life is going along smooth.’ now get prepared, I promise a storms on the horizon.
Hanahan — Hurricane Hugo
We were sent to the Charleston area after Hurricane Hugo came through in the late 1980’s. In many areas, it was a scene of total destruction. Trees downed, houses destroyed, cars & boats damaged. It looked as if a gigantic bomb had gone off and thrown everything to the ground. In many places you could see the power of what a large storm could do to our environment.
Our lives are the same way. God brings us good times, but He also allows bad times to come to us also. You can look at each of us and see the result of storms in our lives through the years. It’s part of our makeup and part of our testimony. How we respond to the storms can tell much about us.
Why does God allow us to suffer and go through storms/trials/difficulties?
A. Difficulties Force Us Into Dependence.
Let’s face it, we are very independent bunch of people and normally the only thing that will cause us to become dependent are hard times. I don’t think God wants us to learn all of our lessons the hard way but if that is what it takes for us to experience His blessing in our lives then I guess that is what he will use. He loves us too much to allow us to destroy ourselves.
B. Difficulties Force Us Into Patience.
Why wait on God when I don’t have to wait on MacDonald’s? After all if I can get my Big Mac in 30 seconds or less then why can’t God do whatever He needs to do just as quickly? We probably would never say that out loud but I wonder how many of us feel that way? I guess we need to subscribe to Mark Lowry’s favorite bible verse, “and it came to pass.”
C. Difficulties Mature Us.
God allows us to sometimes suffer so that we can mature in our faith and draw closer to Him. When bad times come again to us in the future, we can look back and see where He has been faithful to us and protected us in previous bad times.
James 1:2-5 (NIV)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
In everything give thanks - not FOR everything give thanks. I don’t think God expects us to give thanks for having cancer, but I do think He expects us to give thanks to Him for those who help us, and the assurance of knowing that no matter what it may bring us, He will be there to take care of us.
Hebrews 13:4-6 (NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Philippians 4:10-12 (NIV)
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
No matter what happens in life, what matters is the attitude towards it. ‘Life can only be as good as your attitude about it.” Trouble & happiness comes and goes. Enjoy the good parts while they last, make the best of the bad parts.
That, I feel, is the key to being content. All things will come to pass, we have to trust and rely on God for His protection and power. Just remember as the song says, “The God on the mountain is still God in the valleys.”
God promises to be with us and to protect us.
The promise God gave us in Hebrews 13,
I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you." (the Message)
Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to everyone. You may be asking, “What do you mean?”
God promises to take care of His own but you have to be one of His own. That means realizing that you are imperfect (a sinner), your need for a Savior (Jesus Christ), and turning over control of your life to Him and submitting to His direction and will for your life. It may sound difficult and at times it can be, but it’s free and as easy as saying,
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in Heaven for me. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life.”
The reward is more than you could ever imagine. No matter what comes your way, it will pass and you’ll make it through stronger than you were before.
