Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1, NIV*
If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15, NIV*
Last week’s devotional thought, “Willing to Give,” was about the wholehearted, willing offerings we make to God out of love for Him. Lots of times these are actions, but beneath the action is the true offering that comes from the heart:
Faith.
Love.
Trust.
Believing in God, trusting Him, just because of who He is. Because of what we know of His character. Because we know He’s trustworthy.
Even when we don’t see the whys and hows. Even when it hurts.
Our love and trust will result in obedience if it’s real. If we act on it. If we don’t put it into practice it stays theory and we’re never truly sure about God.
Many of my favourite novels have a hero/heroine who’s a strong leader, one the other characters will follow in the bleakest circumstances in blind (but fully warranted) trust. One who operates on the “need to know” principle because stopping to explain takes too long and because the followers don’t have the knowledge base to be able to understand. One who brings them through incredible odds to victory.
God is like that, except better. He’s real, and nothing surprises Him.
Reading the novels, when I see characters mistrusting the leader or trying their own ways, I know they’re wrong and I keep hoping they’ll wise up before it’s too late. Before they either ruin everything or at least get themselves killed.
In real life, it’s sometimes easier to be the doubter than the faithful follower—even when God is the leader.
Father, I’m glad You know our weaknesses. I’m gladder still that You love us anyway, and that You’re working all things out to the end You’ve planned from the beginning. You are the only wise, all-powerful God. The only one who can bring victory in the mess we’ve made. Help us to love, trust and obey You, in the big and in the small. Sometimes the small is the hardest part.
∞
This week’s song is Big Daddy Weave’s version of the classic hymn, “Trust and Obey”.
*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
When asked by his professor to write a paper on what Christians believe, my son did not write a list of theological statements. Instead, he chose to examine his life to see, from his actions, what he truly believed.
How right you are, Janet. If we have faith, if we truly love and trust God, we will obey. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for the challenge.
Wow, Stephanie, that took a lot of courage for your son–and a lot of honesty. We could all benefit from doing that. Lots of times we don’t even realize that our actions don’t match what we think we believe, until someone points it out to us. Then we have a big adjustment to make!