When a soldier goes into battle, it’s vital for him to trust his leader to be willing to obey any command given to him. However, a soldier goes through boot camp and weeks of training that test his mental and physical capabilities. After completing these tests, a soldier knows his limits, weaknesses, and strengths. During this time of growth, he also builds close relationships with other soldiers as well as his commanding officer. The soldier learns that trusting and obeying releases him from the burden of having to have all of the answers and making the right decisions.
The picture of how soldiers learn to trust and obey is a good example for us to follow as Disciples of Christ. Jesus is our Savior, Redeemer, teacher, and perfect guide. However, it takes years of training to build a relationship with Jesus and grow our trust in him. As our relationship grows deeper, we will know that God’s ways are the best and will experience his faithfulness.
When you truly grasp and accept that Jesus chose to die for you because of his unconditional love, how can you question his ways, morals, standards, and instructions? Even when you don’t understand a path God places you on, it doesn’t mean that God’s plans are not best. Jesus knew how doubt could invade our imperfect minds and hearts in this broken world. God helped us by giving us His word, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God gives us guidance in these two verses.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Prov. 3:5-6, NLT)
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. (John 14:23-24, NLT)
Our Struggle to Trust and Obey
One of the biggest struggles of our imperfect human condition was the first sin of pride, to be God and in charge. Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters; we must choose. (Matt. 6:24, NIV) We can’t say we are Christ’s disciples and live like the devil. We either have to trust that God’s plans for us are good and that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will guide us, or we don’t.
In church, we sang hymns from a hymnal book when I grew up. Many of these old hymns will ring true for the ages. When we trust in our faithful God and obey, He will help us.
Trust and Obey by John H. Sammis
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 or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to 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.
Oh, Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
And ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, for grace to trust You more!
Faith is a choice that each one of us must make. Will we choose to trust and obey God and Jesus, or will we choose to live in our sinful, imperfect ways?
