Trust and Be Thankful

As I read my devotion this morning the hymn Trust and Obey kept playing through my mind.  I examined the following verses:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.   Psalm 95: 1-2

10 Those who know your name trust in you,

for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:10

If you've been reading my last few posts, you know I am reading the devotion Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  Here are the sections I highlighted today:

...Trust is the channel through which My Peace flows into you.  Thankfulness lifts you up above your circumstances...Rather than planning and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually.

This all really struck a chord with me.  I realized I go through a lot of my life whinning and complaining about my circumstances, planning and evaluating so I can avoid my fears, or begging God for something (whatever it is I think I need at the moment) - but I rarely stop and just thank Him and trust Him in whatever circumstance I am facing.  I will beg to be let out of that circumstance, but it's not often I actually thank Him in the midst.  I imagine God watching me just yearning to give me peace and to lift me above my circumstances, but I stand in the way.  In my human weakness, I really think I can bring peace to myself with my actions.  He must shake His head at me a lot. 

As I pondered this, God revealed to me that there is nothing wrong with planning and evaluating (in fact, many of us have a gift for just those things).  The problem arises when we do this out of fear instead of out of trust. Trust that God has me in the palm of His hand and is guiding me along.  He already has the road paved.  He may reveal to me a plan He has and I can then implement the gifts of planning and evaluating.  It's then that He shows me just how much He loves me. 

For a Melancholy, Type A like myself, to see God's power unfold through the work (planning and evaluating) He has given me is so amazing and satisfying. 

So, if you are like me - you have a need to know every possible scenario and outcome before you make a move - have peace.  God has already done all the  planning and evaluating.  He does not need you to do it for Him.  But if He does use you in His work, do it out of faith not fear.  Trust in Him and be Thankful that you do not have to carry the weight of this world on your shoulders - He's got it.

I'll leave you with the words of Trust and Obey today:

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.


Refrain:
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.

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.


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.

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.