Trust and Obey-- Leviticus 26

I love the words to this old hymn:

Trust and Obey... For there's no other way-- To be happy in Jesus, Than to trust and obey. 

Our relationship with the Lord is initiated by trust-- Faith in Jesus Christ is the key that unlocks the door of salvation. The bible says, Without faith it is impossible to please God. 

The moment we stop trusting in ourselves and begin trusting in Jesus for our sufficiency and salvation we are set free from sin. 

Obedience is evidence of our growing and thriving relationship with the Lord.   John encourages believers saying, (1 John 2:28-- NIV)

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

FF Bruce said, "Continuance is the proof of faith."

As we draw closer to the Lord he enables us to follow his word. In fact it becomes our joy to do his will and live according to his truth. 

2 John 1:9 says,Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

The question here-- Are our lives being marked more and more by faith and obedience each and every day?

When faith and obedience begin to mark our lives and become our daily pattern of living, there are definite benefits! Leviticus 26:3&4 says,

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit. 

God blesses our lives. He becomes our joy and our strength and supplies every single one of our needs. Intimate connection to God  is the only way to experience the truly abundant life! And that abundance comes directly from the presence of the Lord in our lives... Troubles and trials do not cease when we come to know Christ. But we will always have the wisdom and strength of God when we face trials. These hardships should spurn us all the more to rely on God. We realize we are blessed when we struggle because Jesus is always there to carry us through. 

Following the Lord is always a blessing because he is near and always working in our lives!

Leviticus 26:3,9,11&12 says,

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands... I will look favorably upon you... I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people. 

Are we experiencing these benefits in our lives?

I love the words to this old hymn:

Trust and Obey... For there's no other way-- To be happy in Jesus, Than to trust and obey