Trust and Obey

Yesterday when we held a gratefully worship for my 56th dad’s birthday, my dad asked to the worship leader to sing his favorite hymn song called “Trust and obey” which composed by Daniel Tower (1850-1919) and John Sammis (1846-1919). For my daddy this song become his life-theme and because it sums up God’s purpose for his entire lives.

He once said to me: “When the Lord calls you to a task that seems unreasonable, you have two options. You can obey Him even though you don’t understand what will happen, or you can become fearful and attempt to find a way out. Lets we take a look to Joshua when he raze the wall of Jericho. He chose the first option. Because he trusted the Lord, he disregarded all his military experience and adopted God’s bizarre battle plan. Over the years, he had learned that the Lord is trustworthy.”

Trust and obey is my favorite hymn song as well and there is an interesting fact behind this song. Here’s the story behind of Trust and Obey…

One night in the mid-1880s, when Dwight L. Moody was preaching in Brockton, Massachusetts, his “team” opened the floor, requesting spontaneous testimonies from the audience. A nervous young man stood and expressed his doubts and then his intentions: “I am not quite sure, but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.”

Daniel Towner, Moody’s musician was so struck by the power of those simple words that he quickly jotted them down, and then delivered them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics to Trust and Obey.  Initially, Sammis just wrote four lines refrain to “Trust and Obey” but later he added four verses. Towner composed the music and the song quickly became a favorite. It remains popular with hymn singers today.

Trust and Obey. There are two duties in these sentences, each with equal importance, both faith and obedience. As with many such verses, there is also a clear progression. Although obedience is critical, everything begins with faith. In the matter of salvation, one can never work his way to Heaven. We are born again when we “Trust in the LORD.” That regenerating work will manifest itself in the desire and ability to “do well.” There is also a clear balance for godly living in this profound and inspired statement. It presents the absolute necessity of both faith and obedience. Of course, faith is not passive; but living faith will result in obedience to Christ. At the same time, the effort to “do well” is not in conflict with faith or a replacement for it.

In the Christian life, faith and works complement each other. We have all witnessed the imbalance of those who claim to be relying on God, and yet they are unwilling to obey the commands of the Word of God. We have also known those who were zealously committed to doing what they perceived to be right, but without the essential presence of faith and dependence upon God. You have probably heard the familiar saying which embodies this principle, “Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as though everything depends on you.” The remainder of this text promises great blessing for those who will “Trust in the LORD, and do good.” Amen

 “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:3-7)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverb 3:5-6)

Lord, I’m not always “quite sure” and yet I choose to trust you with my life. As I walk the path of obedience, fill my heart with joy, eagerly expecting your favor and blessing.

To listening “Trust and obey” Please click the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0S8Z-dMM40

Karina

Photo credit: Google Images