Inspirational Readings: 57 Songs:Devotional of Beloved Hymns ♫Trust And Obey♫

I felt the Lord prompting me to take a shower one day. In fact all morning long. Yet I didn't do it. I put it off and did other things that I considered more important, like helping Daddy with his particular needs that day. I felt it was more critical to be there for him because he was depressed much of the time. It was always touch and go with me taking a shower anyway. Daddy was blind and hard of hearing. If he didn't know where I was or get a quick response from me wherever I was in the house (day or night), he would get frantic and worry himself into a frenzy.

Consequences of Disobedience Can Be Swift

Later that afternoon after being on my knees in prayer almost begging God about getting back to Alaska, I got up off my knees to pain in my left knee and shin; disturbing crunching, cracking sensations and sounds. I managed to get onto my feet but not without much difficulty and of course more pain. As I attempted to stand up straight and move, the pain got worse and it became apparent that I wouldn't be able to walk without some degree of pain and discomfort.

Trusting Ourselves Instead of God

In today's busy world it's easy to dismiss what we know is a prompting from God. Somehow though, believing we know what's important, and what's the priority, we justify putting aside the nudging from our Heavenly Father, in favor of what we feel is a more pressing issue. Sometimes ignoring God's promptings can cause a simple inconvenience like getting stuck in traffic when we could've missed it altogether had we listened. Other instances where we ignore God's promptings, can prove more serious, even disastrous. We've all heard stories of people feeling lead to do or not to do certain activities that consequently saved their life or someone else's. Clearly a prompting from God is something you might want to give your attention to.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

I was eventually able to take a shower (before two months mind you) after giving the process much thought detail by detail, but it was a couple of weeks before I was able to safely maneuver the shower and bath without incident.

As it turned out, God had a plan. He had already decided what He would do to get me back to Alaska. He was just being gracious to me, attempting to give me a heads up about the future, so I wouldn't be inconvenienced sooner than I needed to be. But I wasn't listening, and had dismissed His promptings to me that would've eased my inconvenience at least for a little while as far as the shower and bath were concerned. Unfortunately, I only appreciated His loving gesture after the fact.

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

KJV Isaiah 30:18

Due to a series of complications, the ordeal with my knee would continue throughout another year and a half after arriving back in Alaska with my Dad before anything could be done to repair my knee. Now as uncomfortable as this ordeal was for me, I know that my experience is trivial compared to the monumental struggles that others suffer in this world today. But as minor as it may seem, it is an easy lesson about trusting and obeying God, that we all can learn from. So the morale of the story for me and maybe for everyone reading, is to stay alert and listen for those promptings from God. Listen for His voice and watch for His promptings because He loves us and really does try to give us the breaks we need in life. And there's something else that's equally important to consider as far as promptings go. Our obedience to God’s voice or direction in the way of promptings may not always be for our own personal benefit, but for the benefit or safety of someone else. Other people need some breaks or mercy in this life too. It warms my heart to no end to know that God looks for opportunities to bless us and be gracious (Isaiah 30:18) to us, to show us how much we are loved even in the little things, and to show us how much He loves others through us too.

Words:John H. Sammis 1846-1919

Music: Daniel B. Towner 1850-1919

1.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.

2.Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh of a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

3.Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief nor a loss,not a crown or a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.

4.But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows and joy He bestows

Are for them who will trust and obey.

5.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:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Have a blessed and peaceful week!

© Barb Johnson