The Power of God's Word
Luke 5:5
And Simon answering said to him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing…


"At Thy word" — here is the cause of causes, the beginning of the creation of God. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made," and by that word was the present constitution of this round world settled as it stands. When the earth was fruitless and dark, Thy voice, O Lord, was heard, saying, "Let there be light," and "at Thy word" light leaped forth. " At Thy word" day and night took up their places, and "at Thy word" the waters were divided from the waters by the firmament of heaven. "At Thy word" the dry land appeared, and the seas retired to their channels. "At Thy word" the globe was mantled over with green, and vegetable life began. "At Thy word" appeared the sun and moon and stars, "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." "At Thy word" the living creatures filled the sea, and air, and land, and man at last appeared. Of all this we are well assured, for by faith we know that the worlds were framed by the word of God. Nor is it in creation alone that the word of the Lord is supreme, but in providence, too, its majestic power is manifested, for "the Lord upholdeth all things by the word of His power." Snow and vapour and stormy wind are all fulfilling His word. His word runneth very swiftly. When frost binds up the life-floods of the year, the Lord sendeth forth His word and melteth them. Nature abides and moves by the word of the Lord. So, too, all matters of fact and history are beneath the supreme word. Jehovah stands the centre of all things, as Lord of all He abides at the saluting-point, and all the events of the ages come marching by at His word, bowing to His sovereign will. "At Thy word," O God, kingdoms arise and empires flourish; "at Thy word" races of men become dominant, and tread down their fellows; "at Thy word" dynasties die, kingdoms crumble, mighty cities become a wilderness, and armies of men melt away like the hoar frost of the morning. Despite the sin of men and the rage of devils, there is a sublime sense in which all things from the beginning, since Adam crossed the threshold of Eden even until now, have happened according to the purpose and will of the Lord of hosts. Prophecy utters her oracles, and history writes her pages, "at Thy word," O Lord.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

WEB: Simon answered him, "Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net."




The Disappointed Seamen
Top of Page
Top of Page