For there’s no other way. But to trust and obey.
This photograph was taken one year ago today. A few hours after the vent was removed, following open heart surgery, my husband began to wake and once again I saw the mercy of the Lord. I marveled then and I marvel now—knowing all that I know from that time to this: God is (and has been) only good all the time; All God’s ways are (and have been) good. Surely it is true that I know nothing of tomorrow but that Providence will rise before the sun. Surely, God is the Lord of all.
Whatever you’re facing today, whatever trials are strewn across your path, whatever fears are in your heart and mind, surely the Lord has you in mind and the anguish, doubt, pain or despair you’re experiencing can be laid at His feet, and in His arms you can be carried. Surely His arms are not shortened that they cannot save to the uttermost. This is the truth. Your circumstances may be sounding louder than the truth, but the truth cannot be silenced or drowned out.
Will you seeing, yet not seeing, believe God?
It’s often easy to believe God based on favourable circumstances and difficult to believe God based on personally challenging circumstances, but God does not change–His truth does not change–He cannot change. If blessings are lavished upon or withheld from us, we still have a loving Heavenly Father. If our relationships are filled with ease and comfort, if our toils bring little weariness, if our health is strong and our burdens seem light: Praise the Lord — it’s so easy to do so in such times as these. But if our relationships are strained and our work is futile effort, if our health is fragile and pained, and our burdens heavier with each passing day: Look to the Lord — it’s so needful especially in such times as these. There is never a day, never a moment we do not need His abiding care. There is never a day, never a moment we could do without His abiding love. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to see this… sometimes it takes a tragedy to know this.
Throughout this year with all its ups and downs, I know that He is only good, His ways are only best, His love is unfathomable. He truly does work *all* things together for good. He calls us to lay everything on the altar. Everything. And to then to look to Him there… to wait on Him there. I may have to do this a thousand times today… but I know it’s the best place to be. And I know that I know that nothing happens without His expressed permission and purpose. My will fights that knowledge—but in my heart I know there is no other way… but to:
Trust & 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.
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.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
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.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
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.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
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.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Beautiful. Thank you.