In 1 Samuel 3 we read of how the young boy Samuel told Eli bad news about his sons and himself. His sons had sinned and Eli did not rebuke their sin. So God was going to punish the sons and never forgive them. 1 Samuel 3:11-14

When Eli heard the tragic news from God through Samuel, he submitted to the will of the Lord without excuse and accepted the judgement on himself and his sons by saying, "It is the Lord, let Him do what seems good to Him."

Our second verse, with the same expression, is spoken in the context of a wholly different situation.

The disciples had gone back to work following the resurrection appearances of Jesus. One morning as they came toward shore, not having caught any fish the previous night, Jesus appeared on the shore and spoke to them. Jesus caused a miraculous catch of fish when He commanded them to cast the nets one more time.

In all of our situations in life, whether good or tragic, we need to learn to say with these men, "It is the Lord".

Often enough in life non-Christian people will praise themselves when they succeed, and curse God when they fail.

Even Christians don't like to associate God with the things that go wrong in their lives.

Job has a wonderful answer when he comments on the horrors of his predicament.

In Job 2:9-10 we read, "His wife said to him, 'Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!' He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?' In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." (NIV)

Job clearly indicated that his sorrow was from the Lord, and immediately the writer indicates that Job did not misrepresent God.

Job's speech was without sin.

When trouble haunts us for any reason we must learn to say, "It is the Lord."

Never are we to think that Satan got the best of God in our lives.

Never are we to think that God forgot us or looked the other way when Satan attacked us (Isaiah 45:7).

Submission to the Lord is all we can do when everything goes wrong in our personal or professional lives.

Are you willing to look at the situation that is so hurtful and say "It is the Lord."?

Will you be that submissive to His way with you? If so, you will find that the problem you presently endure will soon blossom into blessing.