TRUST AND OBEY

Handing Over Control

I read a passage last night that caused me to pause in wonder. It was written by King David and reveals a complete trust in God that few of us ever reach. Not only did David live the hard times of his life like this, but he also lived the good times of his life in total trust. He was a man after God's own heart. Does that mean he was perfect? Of course not! It means that he sought God and was chasing after God's heart. He wanted to know what God's will was every day. He wasn't perfect and the Psalms he wrote demonstrate this over and over again. When you read below you can see for yourself that his complete trust is in God alone, and it is there that he finds peace.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

He is obviously distressed and oppressed, but he is seeking God and encouraging others to seek him as well. The final verse is the perfect way to finish. He will lie down and sleep in peace because God makes him safe. The verse puts an exclamation point in the form of peace at the end of despair.

We all go through disparaging times when things seem hopeless. Maybe its finances, relationships, work related or even our health. All of these things can change in the blink of an eye. There is no security in anything of this world. Lost is the one who seeks things of this world to give comfort, security or even peace. I've been there. I had to learn that the only place to find complete peace inside your soul is to completely surrender to the will of God, whatever that looks like in your situation. For me, I had to stop worrying about finances. Yes I made a mess of things, but God never let me fall so far that I could not get back up. He taught me the lesson of being content with less, and how to live at peace with what I had. I wasn't far off of that. I've not been one who cares too much about a lot of possessions, but I needed to learn that God is the one who supplies all of my needs. It isn't the job, or people, or credit card companies, it is the God of all creation.

When I read that last verse last night I was reminded of someone I care about whose been having trouble sleeping. I prayed for her and then sent her this verse. I didn't send it because it was something I came up with. I truly believe that God gives us clues about life not only for ourselves but for others. When someone's name is put on my heart and a verse to go with it, or a prayer or a vision even, I believe it is God saying that He wants me to share that because it will help encourage them. The Holy Spirit lives in us, so why not use us as instruments to be an encouragement to others? It sure makes sense to me.

When David obeyed God, things were good in his life. When he disobeyed they got a little rough. It is like that for all of us. There was a song when I was young that we sang all the time in Church. "Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey." David figured this out early in life, which is why he was able to defeat Goliath as a boy. He knew that God was more powerful and as long as he Obeyed the Lord there would be victory.

True peace comes from God. Jesus is the peace of God that walked among us. He was at peace when he was ridiculed, questioned, and crucified. The peace he showed us is ours when we Trust and Obey.

The tiny baby above has complete trust even though to us, his situation looks precarious. The strong arm that holds him is not about to let him slip off or fall. That trust is what God wants from us in good times and every trial. The peace that He gives us in return is extraordinary. No amount of money, food, or medicine can give us the peace that God offers when we trust and obey Him.

Imagine Jesus always there waiting for you to take His hand and trust him completely. He isn't pushy. He doesn't force His will on you. He is peaceful. He is Gentle. He is kind. He is loving. He is patient. When we finally stop trusting in the foolish things of this world that seek to put themselves above God and turn our back on them to face Jesus, that is when the magic happens. No we don't get all tingly and pixie dust doesn't fall from the sky. The magic I'm talking about is the peace of God that passes all understanding which will keep our hearts and our minds secure.

Imagine Jesus at complete peace when he was about to be crucified. That is the same peace God offers us. We don't have to go through a horrific crucifixion, but we will have trials. The beautiful part of being in a close relationship with God is that no matter what we face, he is faithful never to leave us alone. It is why Christians, who have never physically seen Jesus know that he is real. There is an assurance that comes with that peace. That assurance is what tells us that one day we will no longer have to just Imagine Jesus.

I love the announcement of Jesus birth by the Angels. After they told the shepherds about Jesus the multitude of heavenly hosts appeared and started praising God - "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

In this Christmas season, my wish for you all is to find the Peace of God that Jesus was sent here to share with us. That baby became our sin offering. This season is a reminder of his humble life and the peace that God offers each of us through His ONLY Son. Merry Christmas!

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 14:26-27 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."