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TRUST AND OBEY "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." Proverbs 16:20 Happiness…people search for happiness daily. We work our fingers to the bone trying to fill this void with all manner of things, such as a spouse, children, homes, jobs, vehicles, material possessions, etc, etc. But, alas, all these things are fleeting joys. They will never satisfy. How disappointed we are when our spouse or children let us down, or a sporty vehicle becomes a piece of junk in the blink of an eye, or our designer clothes no longer make a fashionable statement. We put our trust in our own pride instead of trusting in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Read through the Psalms—you'll see the contrast! Trust man (yourself)—leads to death. Trust God (Almighty)—leads to life. 2 Cor. 5:15 states, "And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." Alleluia! What freedom! What joy breaks forth when we give all that we are and all that we have to Jesus! He gave His life for this place, that we may enter into a life filled with obedience and trust in a Holy God! This Christmas, I come bearing gifts of testimony. "Trust and Obey" is my favorite hymn. The Lord blessed me with two boys who are grown men in their 20's. As babies, I cradled them in my arms, singing this refrain as a lullaby—"Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." Years later, I was blessed to teach Sunday School to the young children. We would sing this refrain with utter delight, dancing in a circle, holding hands. The joy of our Jesus and His abiding love filled the room with pure happiness—complete abandonment to Jesus Christ! Another precious blessing came when this hymn was sung at my dear Granny Bicker's funeral. To know that this was one of her favorite hymns comforted my heart. A sweet gift of inheritance! One year, as a Christmas gift, I received a keyboard. Imagine, me—who doesn't know a single note—learned this hymn first! To God be the Glory! This song grips me. It permeates my entire being, calling me to a surrendered life, to be happy in Him alone. The sweet, lyrical quality of the notes wash over my soul, bathing me in a garden of summer flowers. I smell my beloved Jesus' fragrance of Holy Love as His divine life ravishes my heart. I drink in these words that leap off the page, as the sweet nectar quenches my thirst for the Magnificent One. I hear His voice calling me to come unto Him. His arms open wide, and I fall into His embrace as He whispers the words of eternal life into my ear. This testimony of beloved fellowship has grown more intimate and lovely as the life of self-rule is yielded to the Heavenly One. Come today in child-like faith, trusting and obeying where the Lord leads you. "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Ps. 34:3) "For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name." (Ps. 33:21) There is no other way! In His Abiding Love, ~ Judy Hollobaugh |