In 1887, following an evangelistic meeting held by Dwight L. Moody, a young man stood to share his story in an after-service testimony meeting. As he was speaking, it became clear to many that he knew little about the Bible or acceptable Christian doctrine. His closing lines, however, spoke volumes to seasoned and new believers alike: “I’m not quite sure. But I’m going to trust, and I’m going to obey.” Daniel Towner was so struck by the power of those simple words that he quickly jotted them down and delivered them to John Sammie, who developed the lyrics to the famous hymn; Trust and Obey.
“ 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.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
I am so proud that our girl followed the call to BE Trusting and Obedient right throughout her horrific ordeal. Her testimony is speaking volumes to others who are in the midst of suffering at this moment in time. Beth discovered the truth of Jesus’ words in John 14:23, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
Beth ‘leaned back’ into the everlasting arms and was not disappointed. She came to know Jesus in a new way during her season of suffering. Her heart was ‘at home’ with Jesus and this became more evident as her time on earth drew to a close.
Right now in the midst of our grief, we face another crisis right next door. David’s precious mum, Barb, is battling debilitating Alzheimer’s Disease. His dad, Don, has lovingly looked after her for many years until recently it became impossible to care for her at home. Mum Wake is still with us in body, but has ‘left us’ in her mind. She does not know us anymore. Yet again, a horrible brain disease is destroying a beloved member of the family and we can do nothing to stop the onslaught.
Barb has been a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother for decades, loving Jesus and sacrificially serving her family. Why her Lord? Why now? This is yet another confusing mystery we simply do not understand. But while we are all still working through the sad implications of her condition, there is one thing I can say with confidence. Like her granddaughter, in spite of all her suffering, Barb still trusts the One who died for her. After years of anxiety with the disease, she is at peace in her spirit now, especially when someone reads the Word of God to her. She may be unable to converse with God in a voice that we can hear, but until recently she could pray out loud when otherwise she could not put a sentence together. I have no doubt that she is still conversing and listening to her Creator in her spirit.
Our youngest daughter, Nicole, loved to sing ‘Trust and Obey’ when she was a toddler and I still hear the echo of her soft little voice. I now sing it with David’s mum when I visit. She smiles as she sings or whistles along with me… sounds like the kind of simple trust her granddaughter possessed doesn’t it! Jesus has certainly made His home with this wonderful woman and while I can’t explain all that is unfolding, I take much courage from her example to keep trusting and obeying.
This week we have been looking at another psalm of David (31) and here we see that while David couldn’t explain all his personal fears and questions, he chose to BE Trusting and Obedient… But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, “You are my God! My future is in your hands.” The Father comes to us in our fear and despair with a whisper, “Will you still trust me even in this? Will you obey me anyway when it doesn’t make any sense to you? Trust and obey my child – there is no other way. Oh how I long to make my home in your heart!”
Around 40 years ago, my grandmother gave me a Bible verse that I have taken as my very own throughout my lifetime so far. It is the ‘verse of the week’ in Heartbreakingly Beautiful and there is no better way to end this week’s blog: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
A quote to inspire you:
‘When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.’ Carrie Ten Boom
Songs to encourage you:
I Will Trust You by Stephen Curtis Chapman
Drawing Near to Jesus by Jordan Worner
A word from Bethany to build you up:
Check out one of Bethany’s recorded testimonies at: http://vimeo.com/14450743