Have
you ever noticed how often the word “let” appears in the Bible? Some
translations say over a thousand time. Others report almost four thousand! Regardless,
that little three-letter word caught my attention this week as though I’d never
before seen it. Such a small word, yet defined by so many facets, for example:
Let permits or allows. “We let the kids
stay up a while.”
Let provides an opportunity. “Their donation let us restock the pantry.”
Let adjusts what needs adjusting. “I let the hem out in those pants.”
Let shares a secret. “We let them in on
our plans.”
Let expresses. “The new puppy let out a
cry.”
Let commands. “Let me see that.”
Let sets free. “They let loose their
laughter.”
Let
releases. “Let
go and let God.”
Permission,
provision, adjustment, revelation, expression, command, freedom, release – those
varied aspects of “Let” are inherent in the Bible verses below. As you read, notice
especially how God permitted His creation to create!
“God
said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light,” Genesis 1:3.
“And
God said, ‘Let the land produce seed-bearing plants and trees that bear
fruit, according to their various kinds.' And it was so,” Genesis 1:11.
“Then
God said, ‘Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly over
the earth and across the sky’,”
Genesis 1:20.
“God
said, ‘Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: creatures
that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.' And
it was so,” Genesis 1:24.
“Then
God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness, so they may
have authority over the fish in the sea and birds in the sky, livestock and wild
animals, and all creatures that move along the ground’,” Genesis 1:26.
And it was so!
In
another creation account, we see a young virgin’s response to an angel’s news
that God had chosen her to bear His Son.
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed,” Luke 1: 38.
Mary’s
“Let it be” and God’s “Let there be” are ways of agreeing or saying, “Amen,”
which, in this unique incident, worked together to ensure the birth of Jesus.
The story doesn’t end there though. In the “image and likeness” of God, we, too, have the power to create and let things happen as wardens of the earth. Consider, for example, how the permissive, expressive, revealing, creativity of God continues as Jesus commands in the gospel of Matthew:
“In
the same way, let your light shine before others, so they can see your
good acts and glorify your Father in heaven," Matthew 5:16.
Amen.
So be it.
Let it be in Jesus’ Name.
