Trust and Obey
When I first began attending the church which is now my home, an older couple welcomed us with smiles and an invitation to Sunday School. As we settled in as active participants, these passionate Christians, John and Jewell, continued to mentor us. “Trust and Obey” was sweet Jewell’s favorite hymn.
More than forty years later, each time we sing this song in church, I remember Jewell’s goodness and kindness. She was a wonderful mentor and role model. When I grow up, I want to be just like her!
Trust and Obey
This past week, I viewed a sermon by one of my favorite television ministers and authors, Dr. David Jeremiah. I didn’t see the title of his message, but the theme focused on trust and obedience.
I thought of my friend Jewell. She lived the example of her favorite song. She trusted God with all her heart and strived to be obedient to Him in all situations. She’s my hero.
Jesus lived the example of obedience
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8)
Jesus trusted His Father’s call to sacrifice Himself to redeem humankind. He obediently responded to His Father’s command. In response, God fulfilled the trust Jesus had in Him.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
Jesus knew His purpose from the beginning of His ministry. He attempted to explain to His disciples. Perhaps they struggled, as much as we sometimes do, to understand the magnitude of our Lord’s mission on earth.
“For I come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of those he has given me, but raise then up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:38-40)
Our Father’s will
As we remember our Lord’s gift of love to us by His death on a cross, I pray we will also recognize that Jesus trusted His Father fully. He knew the trial would be difficult and painful.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. (Luke 22:42)
- Jesus prayed for release for what He knew was coming, but didn’t turn away from His Father’s plan.
- It was our Father’s will that Jesus complete the task of sacrificial love.
- Jesus trusted and He obeyed.
My friend Jewell lived His example.
Can we?
As Jewell was my mentor for trust and obedience, can I mentor others? Can we, as Christians, share the story of Easter with others?
Trust and Obey is one of my favorite hymns. Jesus did live the example for us. This is so evident during this season. His prayer, “Father, if it be thy will let this cup pass from me,” shows how hard this must have been for Jesus. “But, for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross.” Joy is what awaits us if we trust and obey. Thank you for this, Katherine.
Thank you for sharing your mentor and friend’s faithfulness to the message of that hymn, one I’ve known all my life.
I’ve always loved the hymn, “Trust and Obey.” The words remind us of God’s faithfulness to keep His Word. I’m thankful Jesus obeyed the Father’s will and defeated sin on our behalf. Happy Easter, Katherine!
I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life to lead me closer to Him. Some folks have passed on and some folks are continuing to mentor and show others how to share the love of Christ. Trust and Obey is one of my favorite hymns. Thank you for this beautiful message. Have a blessed day! 🙂
I love this hymn, too. It’s wonderful to have Godly mentors in our lives. Now that I’m older, I pray I can be of help to younger people.
It’s a favorite hymn of mine too. Thank you for sharing. Obedience is sometimes difficult and sometimes our only outcome is knowing we are faithful.
Lovely hymn! Yes, as I look back, there were many mentors in my life. Most of them would be surprised I thought of them that way. And although I meet regularly with some young women in a mentoring relationship, I love the challenge of mentoring as part of life. Thank you Katherine!
Trust and Obey is such a great hymn to sing, but harder to do in life! How wonderful that Jewell was such a great mentor for you!
Trust and Obey – one of my favorite hymns. Too often I do more trusting than obeying, just saying. What a good reminder and what a blessing to Jewell as a mentor. When I was just out of seminary in 1980 I served a church in Decatur, Georgia. Miss Jewell Burnham prayed for and mentored me as a young minister. She was one of the first female graduates of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Religious Education degree in the early 1930s. She lived with her sister Katherine Burnham who also prayed daily for me to always “trust and obey” where I could have ‘victory in Jesus. Miss Jewell was retired from the old Baptist Sunday School Board (now Lifeway Christian Resources). The article is both a great reminder and brings back great memories.
It is a beautiful, old hymn and u found myself singing it as I read your words. I pray I can be that kind of example to others. Happy Easter Katherine
Katherine, this message and the Scripture you used blessed me beyond measure today. I love this truth from Jesus: “I shall lose none of those he has given me, but raise then up at the last day.” I am filled with hope. Happy Easter!