Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Trust and obey. God’s promises are often connected to a “trust and obey” component. We have our part to do while God does His part. Of course, what we do pales in comparison to the mighty work God does.
Two examples:
“I have given you Jericho” (Joshua 6:2).
God promised the Israelites that He had given them the city of Jericho. Jericho was the first city the Israelites conquered as part of taking the Promised Land of Canaan. But when God promised Jericho, did Israel have it yet? Yes and no. God promised it, but God also gave them commands to obey. They had to fulfill a week of commands that included circling the city once a day for six days and then seven times on the seventh day. And when they followed God’s commands, God made the walls of Jericho fall flat.
“God has granted all those who sail with you” (Acts 27:24).
An angel appeared to the apostle Paul as he was onboard a ship during a horrific storm at sea. God made a promise to Paul saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.” What was Paul’s trust in God’s promise? “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told” (Acts 27:24-25).
But did God’s promise of safety come without conditions? No, it did not. Paul must have gotten further information from the angel of God. Notice this: Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved” (Acts 27:31).
I love that sentence: Unless you stay in the ship you cannot be saved. Trust and obey. That took a lot of trust, by the way, if you read all of Acts 27. That was a nasty storm! We might think it wise to ditch the boat and take our chances with swimming. God said, “Stay in the boat!”
These kinds of trust and obey connections to God’s promises are throughout the Bible. Naaman. Rahab the Harlot. A blind man whom Jesus told to wash in the pool of Siloam to receive his sight. We repeatedly see God keeping His promises in a mighty way, but still asking His people to trust and obey.
God promises wisdom, but I must ask Him for it (James 1:5).
God promises salvation through Jesus’ blood, I must believe and be baptized (Mark 16:15-16).
God promises forgiveness, but I must forgive others (Matthew 6:15).
God promises to provide His amazing care for me, but I must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). I also need to get a job, work hard, budget and save money, and give generously (read the Proverbs).
Do you trust God’s promises? If so, are you also obeying His conditions tied to those promises?
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…