reynaldo reynoso (admin)
I hear the song all the time, and in all honesty, the tune often bores me. Its structure, like many hymns, is repetitive but seemingly more so in its lilting phraseology. It?s the lyrics in light of its history that makes this hymn ?Trust and Obey? so striking.
The year is 1886 and we?re in one of a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts. We?re enjoying ourselves, after all, D.L. Moody is the speaker and right now we finished marinating ourselves in the lovely music directed by Daniel B. Towner, director of the music department at Moody Bible Institute. In the midst of all this, maybe he was called to do so (we don?t know, we?re only attending the meeting) A young man rises and gives his testimony.
What a lovely thing that this young man would testify how he came to put his trust in Christ.
As he speaks we start realizing how theologically wrong he is in several points. He stumbles and stammers along and perhaps we start looking at each other wondering what this young man is about. He ends his convoluted testimony with the words ?I am not quite sure?but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.? Thankfully he sits down but unknown to us, Mr. Towner, fidgeting around for a pencil, quickly jots down those words.
Mr. Towner then sent those words to J.H. Sammis who then wrote the five stanzas.
How often do we have contrasting ideas of what the Bible is saying and sometimes we may be lost in the wilderness of theological debate, probably even on the wrong side of the argument. Thank the Lord that there are many things in the Scriptures which are explicitly clear and our responsibility is merely to trust the unfailing and victorious Lord and obey what He has said.
It is a constant battle with me and I am sure with you as well. Let?s stand like that young man and lean not on our own understanding but on what God has said!
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.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
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 blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
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
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
-r-