Trust and Obey

Photo by wonders777 at stock xchng.It's always been my staunch belief that human beings have the unique capacity to make everything more complex than it has to be. (If you don't believe me, take a look-see at the US tax code...)

The same is often true when it comes to our relationship with God.

Jesus called them "traditions of men." We somehow feel the need to add on to the "thou shalt's," probably because we want to be in control, to pat ourselves on the back for being such a good Christian, and to have bragging rights.

Well, sorry to burst everyone's traditions-of-men bubbles, but there are only two things needed in our relationship with God. While they're not necessarily easy to do, they're far less complicated than what we want to make it.

Trust in the LORD and do good... ~Psalm 37:3a

1. TRUST
In Genesis 22, we see the Lord test Abraham by ordering him to do the unthinkable--sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah. As a hero of the faith (see Hebrews 11), Abraham doesn't argue with God, doesn't ask why, doesn't put his foot down and scream "No!" Instead he heads out to the wood shed to split wood. The next morning, he loads up the donkey and heads out to Mount Moriah.

What trust! Abraham had enough experience with God to know that He was able. To do anything! Even the impossible, like raise Isaac from the dead.

Only when God stayed his knife-gripping hand as it plunged toward the heart of his beloved Isaac, did Abraham put an end to the gruesome task.

The father of our faith definitely passed God's test, proving that although he loved Isaac, he loved God even more.

2. OBEY
Abraham's trust in God was proved through his obedience. And once more, we learn that there is blessing in obedience.

"...In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” ~Genesis 22:18 (NASB)

APPLICATION
So let's not make our relationship with the Lord more difficult than it has to be.

First, we need to simply trust Him. Why? Because He's proved Himself trustworthy time and time again. Because His Word reveals Him as a loving, merciful, compassionate Father who has our best interest at heart.

Second, we need to be obedient to His revealed will as found in the Bible and His specific instructions for each of us. Though not always easy, His way is always best, and we'll be proven and blessed through our obedience.

    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.

        Refrain:
        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 or 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 or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
    But is blessed 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, for the joy He bestows,
    Are for them who will trust and obey.

    Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
    Or we’ll 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. (Public Domain, John H. Sammis, 1887)