Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6
"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."
Introduction
Good morning, church!
Today, we are gathered to delve deep into a profound yet simple message: "Trust and Obey."
These two words form the cornerstone of our walk with God. They encapsulate our relationship with Him in ways both profound and practical.
To "trust" is to surrender our uncertainties, doubts, and anxieties to a faithful God who never fails us.
And to "obey" is to submit ourselves to His will, living in a way that pleases and honors Him.
When we unite trust with obedience, we position ourselves under the canopy of God's grace and favor.
As we move through today’s message, I want us to reflect on how trusting and obeying God impacts every facet of our lives, and how these two principles are intertwined in our spiritual journey.
Let us learn to walk with Him, hand in hand, in full trust and faithful obedience.
1. The Call to Trust in God
Let’s begin by exploring the idea of trust.
The Bible calls us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." What does this trust look like?
To trust God is to have confidence in His character and His promises. It is believing, even when circumstances suggest otherwise, that God is good, sovereign, and wise.
Trusting God doesn't mean we will always understand His ways, nor does it mean that life will be without challenges. In fact, trusting God is often hardest when we are going through trials.
Consider the story of Abraham in Genesis 22.
God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac.
Can you imagine the turmoil in Abraham's heart? Yet, Abraham trusted God, believing that God had a purpose and would somehow make a way.
His trust was met with provision—God provided a ram in place of Isaac. Abraham's trust in God, despite the test, was honored.
Trust is an active choice we make every day. It’s a choice to rely on God, even when the road is rough or unclear.
When we lean not on our own understanding but rather submit to His wisdom, we are saying, “God, I believe that You know best. I trust that Your plans for me are good.”
In moments of uncertainty, doubt, or fear, trust is our anchor.
Whether we are facing financial difficulties, health concerns, relational strife, or simply navigating the complexities of life, God invites us to trust Him fully. He never promises that the path will always be smooth, but He does promise that He will direct our paths if we lean on Him.
2. The Call to Obey God
Now that we have explored trust, let's move to the second part of our message: obedience.
Obedience is the natural outcome of trust.
When we truly trust God, obeying Him becomes a reflection of that trust. We obey because we believe that His commands are for our good and His glory.
Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands."
Obedience is not a burden but a delight when we trust that God's ways are better than our own.
However, obedience often requires sacrifice and submission. It can be difficult when it challenges our comfort zones, disrupts our plans, or requires us to act counter-culturally.
Consider the story of Noah in Genesis 6.
God commanded Noah to build an ark in preparation for a flood, even though rain was not yet on the horizon.
Noah obeyed, even when others likely mocked him, and as a result, he and his family were saved. His obedience was the fruit of his deep trust in God's word.
Obedience calls us to take up our cross and follow Christ daily.
It demands that we live out the teachings of Jesus in our homes, workplaces, and communities. This means forgiving when it’s hard, loving our enemies, and serving others selflessly. It means aligning our actions, thoughts, and decisions with the will of God, even when it’s inconvenient.
In today's world, where the culture often encourages us to follow our own desires and disregard biblical truths, obedience can feel like swimming upstream.
Yet, obedience is not optional for the believer. It is essential to a life of faith. James 1:22 reminds us, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Obedience flows out of a heart that trusts God completely. When we trust Him, we are willing to obey, knowing that His ways lead to life and peace.
3. The Blessings of Trust and Obey
When trust and obedience are united in our lives, blessings abound. The Bible is full of promises for those who trust and obey the Lord. In Isaiah 1:19, we read, "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land."
Trusting and obeying God brings us into a place of peace, protection, and provision.
It doesn't mean that life will be without trials, but it does mean that we will have the assurance of God's presence through every situation.
Trust brings peace to our hearts, and obedience brings purpose to our actions.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are told that when we trust and acknowledge God in all our ways, He will make our paths straight.
It doesn’t necessarily mean life will be free of obstacles, but it does mean that God will guide us through whatever comes our way. He will lead us in paths of righteousness and will provide for all our needs.
Furthermore, trusting and obeying God positions us for a deeper relationship with Him. As we trust in His goodness and obey His commands, we grow closer to Him, experience His love more fully, and become more like Christ.
Conclusion
As we come to the close of today’s sermon, I want us to reflect on these two pillars of our faith: trust and obey.
Trusting God in all circumstances and obeying His Word daily requires surrender and faith. But the rewards are great: a life of peace, joy, and purpose, lived in fellowship with our Creator.
Perhaps some of us today are struggling with trust. We find it hard to let go of our fears, anxieties, or doubts.
Others may be wrestling with obedience, knowing what God is calling us to do but hesitant to step forward.
Wherever you find yourself today, remember this: God is faithful. You can trust Him completely, and He will guide you as you obey Him.
As we close, I invite us to lift our voices in the song, "Trust and Obey."
Let this be our prayer, our commitment, and our declaration as we move forward in faith.
Let us stand together and sing:
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.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way,
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
May God bless you as you continue to trust and obey Him each day. Amen.
