It Came to Pass

It Came to Pass

The phrase, “it came to pass,” shows up often in Scripture. In fact, according to Bible Gateway, an online resource I rely on a lot, it occurs 463 times in the King James Version and is still maintained 187 times in the New King James. It’s just an old way of saying “in those days” (NIV) or “about this time” (NLT). But a friend of mine took the phrase literally and used it in a clever poem. I love her humor.

Of all the verses in Holy Writ
There’s one I like best, and this is it –
It stands by itself in its own special class,
These comforting words, “It came to pass.”

When training the toddler, or enduring the mumps,
When raising the puppy, or soothing the bumps,
These words spur me on – this will not last.
It’s one of those things that “came to pass.”

When teenagers shock me with schemes so way out
That I tear at my hair and am tempted to shout;
When rain clouds are pouring and puddles are vast,
I cling to my verse – “It came to pass.”

And it came to pass – never to stay.
This irksome stage will soon pass away;
And I, growing old and lonely at last
Will know childhood, too, has “Come to pass.”

– Mrs. Don Mathis (Pastor’s wife and mother)

I woke up thinking about this poem this morning as I was praying for my granddaughter and her husband who are in transition. It’s an exciting, but stressful time. But I want to remind them, and all of you, to remember that God brings temporary situations into our lives that will work out for our good. We can learn from them and move on. Remember this verse? “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NKJV). 

The authorities who threw Paul into prison thought that they were squelching his ministry. But just the opposite happened. Here’s his testimony. “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14, NIV).

Is there something that’s bothering you today? Can you leave it up to God to work it all out? Hasn’t it “come to pass”?