Trust God into the depths of life

Trust God into the depths of life

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way—do you remember that hymn?

It’s so good. It tells us that there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

I’ve been thinking about obedience recently... again. It comes up often because I’m a parent, and it makes me think about my own obedience to the Lord.

We find it easier to follow and obey someone when we trust them. I know for myself, I will even listen to someone better if I trust them, or at least trust their ability. I know that sounds biased, but think about it. Trust carries a lot of weight when it comes to listening to someone and following what they have said.

Isaiah 26:3-4 says – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”

Have you ever gone on a cavern tour? Talk about the depths. You really get down into the earth, and when taking one of those tours, we have no idea what to expect, where to go, or even if there’s a way out. But we trust the person who is leading us, so we obey and follow their lead.

They have gone before us many times. They know the ins and outs, the turns, and every part of those places. They know what’s in the darkness. We don’t even find ourselves worrying about where this stranger might be taking us because we are confident that they know what they’re doing.

But let’s hold that up against our walk with the Lord.

How well do we trust Him?

He has gone before us. He formed the earth and knows us and every inch of everything... yet we struggle to trust and obey.

Our flesh cries out in uncertainty, and we forget to trust and obey the Lord. But that is exactly what we are called to do—trust and obey, for there’s no other way. When we do, we find that God is also our Comforter.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6 is a message to the Corinthians from Paul, and it says, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.”

Paul is reminding the Corinthians that no matter what troubles they face, they can take comfort in the Lord.

I believe we know this too, but sometimes our struggles can outweigh the comfort and hope we have in the Lord, causing us to feel distant and lost. Then feeling lost can lead to fear of the unknown.

When we ar

e fearful, we can look to Psalm 56:3-4. It’s a prayer David prayed while feeling fearful about what the Philistines might do to him.

It says, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”

David found himself hiding in caves many times, and so much of his praying, crying out to the Lord, and praising Him happened in those depths.

The struggles and fears we face are many, but there is nothing God cannot help us through.

It’s our lack of knowing God and being confident in who He is that can make those moments seem impossible.

No matter where we find ourselves, we must remain hopeful in the Lord. Then we will learn and grow in our faith, and we will truly find it easier to trust and obey Him.

We will know that whatever cavern or depth we are going into, God has already been there. He is there with us, and He will guide us the entire way.

That right there is where we find the peace that God provides. It’s beyond our understanding, and it gives us the strength to keep going and stay focused on the fact that God is our refuge. Because of Him, we can walk joyfully no matter our troubles.

Here’s a prayer we can pray as we walk with the Lord:

I don’t know how challenging the road ahead will be, Lord, but I do know the depth of Your love and the greatness of Your mercy and grace. Teach me to walk boldly in my faith every step of the way. Your ways are better. Amen.

Trust and Obey Hymn:

1 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.

2 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 blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]

3 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. [Refrain]

4 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. [Refrain]