Trust and Obey

TRUST AND OBEY

Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

In Brockton, Mass in 1887 a young man stood up in a meeting conducted by D.L. Moody and gave a testimony. At the end of his testimony he said, “I don’t know much about the Christian life, but I am going to trust and obey.”
Sitting in that meeting was a man by the name of John. H. Sammis. He took those words and penned down the famous Christian hymn, “Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”
Listen to the rest of the song:
“When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory He sheds on our way. When we do His good will He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away, Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear, can abide while we trust and obey. Is our faith that strong? Is our trust that real?
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He doth richly repay: not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey.
How can this song writer write those words? How can we actually be blessed in a time of grief and loss? Listen to the next verse
But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay, For the favor He shows and the joy he bestows are for them who will trust and obey.
There is the key. We must lay our all on the altar. We must truly by faith give to God our family, our expectations, our income, our children, yea our future and trust what come, what may.
What will happen then? Then we read the last verse of this song. 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 is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey..
I want to look at four transactions that take place in the life of every believer that truly trusts and obeys.

I – THE PLACE OF PEACE
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; is the place of peace.
Trust is synonymous with Bible qualities such as faith, belief and hope. Spiritually, it speaks of one who relies completely on the Lord.
Do we truly trust God?
Do we trust Him with our lives?
Do we trust Him with our future?
Do we trust Him with our money?
Do we trust Him with our children?
Do we trust Him with our soul?
We say we trust Him to forgive our sins.
We say we trust Him to keep us out of an eternal burning hell.
We say we trust Him to take us to an eternal home in heaven.
We say we trust Him day by day, week by week and year by year.
But, do we trust Him in the valley’s as well as when we are on the mountains?

It is easy to trust in the Lord with the bills are paid…
“…when we have a secure job…
“…when our marriage is great…
“…when we are healthy and strong…
“…when our kids are doing well in life and living for God..
But,
a. Can you trust in the Lord when you preach for 120 years and nobody gets saved? Noah did.
Do you believe God is God and can you lean on Him when you witness to your family and they refuse your witness year after year after year? Can you trust Him then? Sure you can.
b. Can you trust in the Lord when your back is against the Red Sea and the whole Egyptian army is about to annihilate you; and those who you tried to lead to freedom turn against you? Moses did.
Can you trust Him when it seems like your friends have forsaken you and some times you feel like no body understands you?
c. Can you trust in the Lord when nobody else will stand against the giant but you? David did.
Can you trust Him when nobody is willing to lay down their life for the Lord? Sure you can.
d. Can you really trust in the Lord, when your city is in siege and your children are starving to death? Hezekiah did.
e. Can you trust the Lord when your children die and your business goes bankrupt and your health fails? Job did.

d. Can the Lord who gave you life and freedom and all good things, be trusted when he takes every thing He gave you away and won’t tell you why? Job did.
Can you lean on Him then? Can you depend on Him then?
Can you tell the world then, My God is so good, so great and so mighty, there is nothing my God can not do?”
I will answer all of those questions with one word, “Yes!” The God of the mountain is also God in the valley. He who stands by you when a child is born into this world is He who stands by you when a love one leaves this world.
I want you to know, God can be trusted at all times, in every situation, whether you understand it or not. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.

e. When you have been thrown in prison can you trust the Lord? Paul did! Listen to what Paul wrote in Romans 5:1-4.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
f. When you have done the Lord’s bidding and have been sentenced to death by beheading, can you trust Him? Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: “7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Shall I ask a few Christians through the ages if God can be trusted?
Hey, Adoniram Judson, missionary to Burma, when you were arrested and beaten and dragged through the hot desert sands were you trusting God? Mr. Judson, when you were hung upside down I prison with chains, did you trust God? Mr. Judson, when you lay your wife and three children in an early grave the first seven years on the mission field and you have no coverts, did you still trust Him? I hear his answer, yes, yes, yes, He can be trusted!

Hey, Jonathan Edwards, who preached the famous sermon that was placed in every literature book in America at one time, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” Mr. Edwards who led the revival fires of the colonist, did you still trust Him when your church voted you out and you had to go to a Indian reservation as a missionary? Yes!
Hey, John Bunyan, who wrote the famous Pilgrims’ Progress, can you trust God after spending 12 years in prison for preaching the gospel Jesus Christ, while your family and children had to fare for themselves. Yes!
Hey, Tim Lee, you got away from God and rebelled against your parents. You joined the Marines and God in his scourging allowed both your legs to be blown off, when you stepped on a landmine. Can you trust Him? Can you preach for Him? Yes! Yes!

Hey, Christian, we trusted in God because America was founded on Biblical principles and we had great freedom to worship God, but slowly that freedom has been taken away. The agenda of our government today is socialism. Why?
The ultimate agenda of our government now is to be part of a one world system. And they know they have to cripple this nation economically and bring it to its knees before we will accept the false concept of a one-world government. Can you trust God now? Is He still on the throne? Is He still worthy? Yes, yes, yes!
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
To trust is to turn lose of everything God has given you and allow Him to do what he wants with what belongs to Him anyway.
Can you trust Him with your life, your future, your health, your money?
Then don’t worry, don’t fret, trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

God never promised us skies always blew.
Song:
1. God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
2. God hath not promised that we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

II – THE PLACE OF PERCEPTION
When I think of a person having perception I think of someone having wisdom, discernment and spiritual understanding. Solomon wrote “…and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Perception or understanding or wisdom is having insight to see the final product. It is the ability spiritually to see the end of the road you are walking and make the decision to stay on the road or make a change.
I think of the old story of the flood in Mississippi when a man was trapped in his house. The waters covered the man’s foundation and a police boat came by and cried out, “We are here to save you, get in the boat.” The man said, “No thank you, the Lord will take care of me.” The water got half way up his door and the boat came by again and said, “We are here to save you, get in the boat.” The man said, “That’s ok, the Lord will take care of me.” The waters rose to the man’s gutters and he had to climb on top of the house. A police helicopter came by and threw the man a rope and said grab a hold, we are here to save you.” The man said, “No thank you, the Lord will take care of me.”
Five minutes later he was swept away by the current and drowned. He stood before the Lord and said, “Lord, I trusted you to save me in the flood and you didn’t. Why? The Lord said, I sent two boats and a helicopter and you would not trust me.
We smile or laugh at that but the truth is God tells us again and again in His word to trust Him, to wait on Him, to give our expectations to Him.
We are to realize that there are mountains and valleys in life and we expect a miracle when God is not going to send one. He may say, just trust me, this is for my glory.

The world offers man knowledge to make money, so man can have things. But knowledge does not bring godly perception and things do not bring peace.
With money you can buy a house, but it will never buy a Home.
You can buy a Clock, but not Time,
You can buy Bed, but not Sleep,
You can buy a Book, but not Wisdom,
You can hire a Doctor, but not Good Health,
(ask Michael Jackson)
You can buy a Position, but not Respect,
You can buy Blood, but not eternal Life,
You can buy sex, but not real Love,
You can buy Luxury, but not Happiness,
You can buy everything, but you can’t buy GOD.....
You can’t buy peace. You can’t buy perception. Michael Jackson at one time had popularity and wealth and what seemed everything a person would want, yet he was a man without peace and clearly a man without perception. He died of what? A drug overdose, to many pills? Why was he taking them? No peace.
Recently, a very good football player died. He was hailed as a great football player from the tongues of so many. Yet he did not know the Lord. He had no peace. He had no perception. He had many relationships with many other women. Little did he know the jealousy in the heart of one of those women, who took a guy and then took his life.
It would be very wise, if we learned to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and if we could learn to not lean to our own understanding.
All the wisdom in the world isn’t even a water drop in the ocean compared to the omniscience mind of God. And foolish man tries to explain God away, or at lease ignore God as if He does not exist and man hopes there will be no judgment.
How silly it is for man in his foolishness to question God?
We are told not to lean to our own understanding but to trust in Him.
Thirdly, we come to the place of praise.

III – THE PLACE OF PRAISE
Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him…”
It is human nature to trust in our thoughts or our expectations and praise the Lord.
It is normal to trust in our bank account and think that some how that is a measure of God’s blessings on us.
To some, folks, if they are healthy and strong, again they praise the Lord. To others, they trust in their education or their abilities.
But, Proverbs 3:6 reads, “In all thy ways acknowledge him…”
Acknowledge God. That means to recognize who God is. He is a Father to those that know Him. He is the Creator to all of man. He is the Source of salvation to all who will believe and He will be the Judge of the universe.
Ask, “What does God wants for me today?
He wants your trust. He wants your love. He wants your fellowship. He wants your prayers. He wants your heart.
If you are not a believer, He wants you to trust Him with your life. He wants you to obey Him and surrender your life to Him. He wants you to ask Christ to save your soul today.
If you are His child, He wants you to acknowledge Him. When you do you will cease asking all the time for things and you will begin thanking Him, praising Him, seeing His hand work in your life every day.
He likes to hear words like David wrote,
Psalms 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Many scholars have questioned at what time in David’s life he wrote this. I personally believe he wrote it later in life. I believe, he had killed the giant, reigned as king of Israel, had been removed as king by his son.
I picture David sitting in a cave in one of the darkest nights of his life, staring into the unknown, having lost everything and he writes, “I love Jehovah. I love Him. I realize, He has been more than kind, forgiving, compassionate and generous with me. He is my shepherd. I will follow where he leads, in life and in death. There is nothing I want in life but to follow His footsteps.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. I’ve live in the castle at Jerusalem. I’ve slept in the most exquisite beds. But, if he wants me to lie down in the green pastures, there I will lie and look upon the many stars that He has created and listen to His voice.
I will refresh myself by the still waters. I won’t be anxious. I won’t be in a hurry. A war may be brewing. Deadlines may have to be met. But, I will wait on the Lord.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Ah-h-h, there, He restores, He refreshes and He rejuvenates me. I see now where He wants me to walk. He wants me to walk in paths of righteousness, for His glory.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
I see that those paths may lead through the valley of the shadow of death, but that is ok, I won’t fear death for He is with me.
He guides me by his rod and staff. When I get out of line He will take the shepherds rod and prod me to walk straight. Then he will take the curved part of his staff and draw me to him for comfort.

Why are you drawing me close Lord? 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
You are giving me strength, grace and your spiritual power so when I face the enemies of life, I will overflow with your love and likeness.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
What else do I see at your table? Goodness and mercy, I see that you will not only lead me, but you will follow me and protect me and when life is over, my dwelling place will be with you, for ever.

IV – THE PLACE OF THE PATH
Proverbs 3:6b “…and he shall direct thy paths.”
Do you really believe God is working in your life?
Do you really believe that the God that gave you that precious baby might take that baby away from you? Will you trust Him then?
Do you really believe that He who gave you such good health might allow your health to fail? Will you trust Him then?

When I look back on the path of life, I realize something the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. My line has a lot of zigs and zags in it. But, I realize so did many of God’s children.
AIRPLANE
I read a story a few years ago about a man learning to fly. His instructor told him to put the plane into a steep and extended dive. The man tells the story. After a brief time the engine stalled and the plane began to plunge out-of-control. It soon became evident that the instructor was not going to help me at all.
After a few seconds, which seemed like eternity, my mind began to function gain. I quickly corrected the situation.
Immediately I turned to the instructor and began to vent my fearful frustrations on him. He very calmly said to me, "There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again."
At that moment God seemed to be saying to me, "Remember this. As you serve Me, there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right." That lesson has been proven true in my ministry many times over the years.

For you college kids – you wonder sometimes where the next dollar is going to come from. Trust in the Lord.
For married couples, you wonder if it is going to get better or worse. Trust in the Lord.
For you families, when money is thin, you ask what do we do? Trust in the Lord.
God’s path led Moses to the Red Sea. With his back to the sea and the Egyptian army behind him, many cried against Moses. But, it was here Moses trusted in God and the mighty hand of God was revealed.
It was three and a half years of draught. Many were questioning the power of God. But, Elijah showed up and stood against all the false prophets of Baal and prayed. Fire came down from heaven to prove to Israel that God is still God.
The children of Israel were looking for a deliverer. Yet, the path of God’s son led him to Gethsemane, Gabbatha, Golgotha and the grave. Why? The heart of man was looking for physical deliverance, physical blessings, physical freedom, when God was providing spiritually deliverance and spiritual blessings and spiritual freedom for time and eternity.

When I was a boy in the 8th grade, 1964, it was two years after Madelyn Murray O’Hara and the Supreme Court removed prayer, the Bible and pretty much God from our school system.

At this graduation, some of the teachers wanted to put God in the songs though they could not say His name. Here is the song we sang at our graduation, as a lost 12 year old boy, it still made an impact on my life. I remember it today 45 years later.
Ervin Drake – 1952 -
I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows (God is in charge)
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows (A Christian’s light)
I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come
To show the way (A soul saved) --I believe, I believe
I believe above a storm the smallest prayer
Can still be heard (Power of prayer)
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word (God)
Every time I hear a new born baby cry, (God gives life)
Or touch a leaf or see the sky (He is creator)
Then I know why, I believe