A hymnal? When was the last time you opened a hymnal? Well I opened one on Sunday evening and on the opposing page was the following hymn:
Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but his smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil he doth richly repay; Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of his love until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows, and the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet, or we will walk by his side in the way; What he says we will do, where he sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Seems like this obey thing follows me everywhere.
This hymn, written by John H. Sammis in 1887, was inspired by a young man who stated during testimony service at church, “I’m not quite sure. But I’m going to trust, and I’m going to obey.”
As a disciple you’ve been called to OBEY God.
Not to just obey in the easy things.
Not to just obey in the comfortable things.
Not to just obey in the things you like or want to do.
But the true measure of your obedience is to OBEY in the difficult things.
To obey when you get a life threatening medical diagnosis
To obey when you’re told to give away something you treasure
To obey when asked to go into unfamiliar territory
To obey when a loved one betrays you
To obey and trust God when your spouse makes a decision you don’t agree with
To obey and trust God with your children
Did you read it in the lyrics above? NOT A DOUBT OR A FEAR…CAN ABIDE WHILE WE TRUST AND OBEY.
God is looking for your radical “YES I WILL” obedience; your delightful, lavish and immediate obedience.
Obedience is more than just taking action. It’s also the position of your heart. God wants you to obey Him not grudgingly nor of necessity but cheerfully.
In Genesis 12 we see God give Abram a directive and as soon as the Lord finishes speaking, Abram obeyed. God said GO and when He was finished talking the scriptures say, “So Abram departed” (Genesis 12:4). God is calling us to obey even if it doesn’t make sense to us.
I’ve had my share of having to obey in what didn’t make much sense to me.
Join this church. OBEY
Get involved in this ministry. OBEY
Leave a job I love. OBEY
Give how much money away? OBEY
Have as many children as the Lord says. OBEY
Submit to my husband. OBEY
Serve and serve and serve again without complaining. OBEY
And the list goes on and on. Come close. Let me let you in on a little secret. I didn’t always want to. I didn’t always feel like obeying. In fact I may have had a temper tantrum or two. But as a true disciple, I made a commitment to the Lord and took up my cross daily and followed Him. Thus I’ve purposed in my heart to obey. And I know the above lyrics to be true. Yet even today as I type this post to encourage you I need to remind myself because obeying isn’t always easy.
So what has God been calling you to do that you just don’t want to? Would you be bold enough, courageous enough to take that step of obedience today? Come on. I know you can do it. And if you’re willing, please share below so that I can join you in prayer.
As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!