Trust And Obey!

November 9, 2023

Trust And Obey!

I don’t understand everything about what is going on in the conflict in Israel. 

I do know that conflicts in and with Israel have been a part of history for thousands of years.  I know that today there is great pain, I know there is much intolerance, and I know there are no simple solutions.  I also know that spirituality is at the core of the conflict.

The conflict and the media’s coverage of the conflict has invited many, many people to live these past weeks in fear and anxiety and apprehension. 

Many people are not convinced the Lord God knows and cares about all the people involved in the conflict.  We tend to focus on the messages of the world rather than the Word of God. 

When there are wars and rumors of wars, when there is violence both subtle and overt, when there is intolerance based on race, politics, economics, geography, religion, etc. there is only one person who can bring true peace and joy and love.  That person is Jesus our Savior.

The call today is for you and me, the Israelis and the Palestinians and the terrorists and all the people of the world to trust and obey Jesus.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Jesus is true love, and Jesus is amazing grace.

In II Corinthians 9:11-13 Paul writes; “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us, for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.  Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your partnership with them and with all others…”

Paul describes two of the greatest blessings we can experience in our life on earth; great generosity and overflowing thanksgiving.  It is not hard to imagine these two blessings are not being experienced by many people in Israel, Gaza, or even in our own country today. 

So many of us are missing out on the joy and love and peace that fill our soul when our hearts sing with great generosity and overflowing thanksgiving.  Paul helps us to understand what is missing in us and in so many, especially where violence and intolerance and war are raging.

Paul reminds us that through our “testing” and our “obedience” we can glorify God and love one another.  We are called to trust and obey Jesus so we can know His great promises.  In 1887, John Sammis wrote the hymn titled, “Trust And Obey.”  The hymn speaks about trusting and obeying Jesus. 

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

“Oh, Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

“And ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord’”

There is no other way to be happy than to trust and obey Jesus.  There will be no lasting peace or love or joy in Israel or in our country or in your family until we trust and obey Jesus.  When we trust and obey, there will be great generosity and overflowing gratitude. 

When generosity and thanksgiving are growing, there is no room for intolerance or hatred or war.  Instead, every human heart will overflow with delight and love…delight in the Lord and love for all people.

I invite you to join me in trusting and obeying Jesus even when there is fear and anxiety and sadness and anger.  I invite you to pray today for the people of Israel, Gaza, and terrorist groups wherever they live.  Pray for strength in their suffering and grief, pray for hope in the midst of intolerance, and pray for peace where war is raging.

Delight is possible when we trust and obey Jesus.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug