5^th May

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

There is an old famous Hymn, written in 1887 by a man named John H. Sammis, that is simply titled ‘Trust and Obey’. This precious hymn really does sum up this wonderful scripture we read in today’s key verse, epitomised by the chorus lyrics that say, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”. Both Sammis, the writer of Romans and many other mighty men and women of God, have all come to the truth, that there is no other way, but to trust God and obey Him. We can try and do things our own way, and that may be ok for a while. But if we want to find true joy and peace, there is only one way, to trust and obey.

Matthew, in his account of the beatitudes of Jesus, tells us that we shouldn’t worry about anything, because God firstly already knows what we think, but most importantly, because He is our provider. Jesus says plainly and clearly affirms this truth in Matthew 6:25 “.. I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.” Yet if we are honest our natural tendency is to lead our lives in our own strength.

Trusting the Lord, is both allowing Him to lead your life, but also walking hand in hand with Him as He guides your path. It is an attitude that says, ‘even if things don’t go the way I had planned, I will still trust that my life is in Your hands’. Just as the writer of Romans says, ‘I pray that you will be filled with joy and peace, BECAUSE you trust in Him!’