Trust and Obey

It's not unusual to hear Nicholas singing. In the car. In the house. In the bathroom. In the store. He has always loved music, and while dancing is a fun pastime, singing is a passion. 

He spent an entire day recently singing "Trust and Obey," or at least singing his version of the classic song: 

Trust and obey 

When you don't get your way, 

Just trust and obey.

There's something very sweet and precious hearing your 4-year-old singing a hymn. And, of course, it is always adorable when little ones change words. But as I was silently chuckling listening to his cute rendition, I really thought about what he was saying.

Trust and obey 

When you don't get your way, 

Just trust and obey.

When you don't get your way. 

How easy it is to say those words when everything is going great. It's easy to say you trust God when you're "on the mountaintop." Sometimes we're guilty of singing the words with out mouths, but not with our hearts. Yes, we know we need to trust God and obey Him, but is it real to us when we're going through a trial? Do we still live it when everything seems to be going wrong? Trust and obey, not only when life is good, but when the hard times come, as well.

It was precious hearing that sweet, little melody coming from his lips. And just like God as our heavenly Father wants our trust and obedience, we desire the same from our children. I want my 4-year-old to trust me and obey me even when he doesn't get his way. I am wiser and understand more than he does. He doesn't always understand the dangers involved or what I am protecting him from. He doesn't realize that I'm training him for his future and there's so much more to the situation than simply that one thing I won't allow him to do.

He doesn't need to understand, but he needs to trust and obey. How much more does that lesson apply to our Father guiding us? 

Our family went through a big "when you don't get your way" experience this year. Our hearts were broken and it was not an easy time. Through all the tears and heartache and uncertainty though, we knew God had a plan. All we could do was trust Him and obey His leading. Even now, there are times when we wonder why. Why did it happen the way it did? Why did we have to go through that? What were we supposed to learn from it? The pain isn't raw anymore, but we still don't understand. And we may never know why! God doesn't agree to explain the reasoning; He promises to guide our path.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. ~ Psalm 37:23

I am reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac. I get teary-eyed every time I read the passage in Genesis or hear a message about it. The thought of sacrificing your child! And yet, Abraham was obedient and God sent him a ram instead. There is also the story of Job and how he lost everything and the many trials Joseph experienced.

Those situations don't make sense in our human minds. Those men were trusting and obeying! And every step was ordered by God.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, 

and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~ Isaiah 55:8-9  

We may never learn why God leads us through certain situations, but we know He has a plan for our lives.

So even when we don't get our way or when God guides our path one way and then seemingly detours our life in a new direction, we can be confident in His love and care for us. Trust and obey.

Just trust and obey.

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.

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.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.