Trust and Obey

I grew up in the Methodist church. Though the services sometimes lacked the action and movement I've become accustomed to in the Apostolic / Prophetic church which I now attend, I still bless God for the solid foundation on which He's built me. For in the Methodist church, I learned structure, rudiments, and the basics of the Christian faith.

There was a song we used to sing at Wesley Chapel called "Trust and Obey." I was reminiscing and laughing with my teenage daughter just the other day at the fact that I thought the song was about seafood seasoning (Old Bay) and I used to wonder what in the world that had to do with trusting. LOL! But now, I realize the importance of the true words of the song.

The late great Overseer Lonnie C. Harris III, my former pastor, used to say "Obedience begins where agreement ends." He would often remind us that God simply wants a "Yes." Often times, we question God. But God doesn't always answer. Sometimes, God purposely leaves us clueless and wondering what and why. I can imagine God simply smiling and saying "You'll see." Don't we do that as parents sometimes? As teachers? When our children or students come to us and ask question after question, we simply say "You'll see."

God wants our child-like trust and faith. We must take Him at His word. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we can't please God if we don't have faith in Him. We must step out onto nothing with the belief and blessed assurance that God will be there to catch us.

Many of us are able to hear and recognize God's voice, but we make excuses for not obeying. The list of excuses we use could go on and on. But the Word of God gives a counter for every excuse we could ever fathom. Don Wilder said “Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure." What a POWERFUL quote. I use it with my students often. Wanna know what the Bible says about our excuses? I'm glad you asked! ;-)

We say: 

•  Maybe it wasn't really God.
• I'm afraid.
• I will fail.

The Bible says:

• "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27
• The words "fear not" or other word pairings with the same meaning ("be not afraid," "do not be afraid," etc) appear in The Bible over 100 times! God must REALLY have our backs if He said it that many times! One particular "No Fear" scripture that helps me is the one that Timothy penned. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
• Isaiah 41:10 reads "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" Now how on Earth can we fail with that promise of success?! The act of obedience is its own reward; it's a weapon. There is no failure in God! 

So to add to what Overseer Harris taught, I would challenge us all to end the excuses! Just give God a "Yes." A loud resounding YES! Whatever we lack, God will equip us with it. Whatever is already in us, God will stir it up. Whatever we need, God will provide! All we need to do is simply trust and obey!

#ObedienceBeginsWhereAgreementANDExcusesEnd! ;-) 

Sharon C.

12/10/13