Trusting Obedience

9-20-2010 by Boyd Bailey

Trusting Obedience


“He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.’” John 9:11

Some situations call for trusting obedience. You know what God is saying, but you are not sure of the “why” or the “how” behind His command. What He is asking you to do may be unprecedented. This may be your first time to follow Him in this fashion and, therefore, it is a little scary.

Some people have given you a hard time, and others think you are somewhat strange; but this is the nature of trusting obedience. You have limited understanding but you still trust God. Though you are unsure how He is going to provide, you trust that He will. And many times, “lo and behold,” His provision is more creative and thorough than you anticipated. This is the fruit of trusting obedience.

This is why God blesses trusting obedience. He knows your situation. He knows your heart. He knows your needs. He is the master at connecting your need with His provision. He uses unconventional means so that He is guaranteed to get the glory. Yes, you could make things happen. You could go into debt. You could manipulate a circumstance.

You could strong-arm a relationship. You could give up or not go there, but your impatience may rob you of God’s blessing. Be obedient and trust Him with what you know to do today. Do not be overwhelmed with tomorrow. Trust Him with today. Be obedient today and trust Him with tomorrow.

It is trusting obedience that opens our eyes to opportunities we never imagined. Satisfaction with conventional thinking may seem safer, but God’s will is never too risky. Following hard after God with trusting obedience is what keeps your faith fresh and on fire. Settling into a selective obedience produces a frigid faith that facilitates a boring, barren life with very little fruit that remains.

If God is telling you to leave, then leave. If God is telling you to stay, then stay. If God is telling you to give, then give. If God is telling you to serve, then serve. It is your trusting obedience that He blesses in spades. Fuel all your efforts by faith. This will stretch you and grow you. God may not show up until the last minute.

Others may criticize your God-sized mission and your faith-filled methods. Because of fear of your failure, friends may disassociate or distance themselves from you, but once they see God’s blessing and faithfulness, they will come out of hiding and attempt to ride the bandwagon.

Therefore, do not let the fickleness of people’s support dissuade you from trusting obedience. God is the one to whom you will ultimately give an account. As long as you can explain to God your actions, you are in a good position. If you disobey God, prepare for a severe judgment.

Followers of Jesus have tasted the fruit of trusting obedience. There is no reason to return to the wilderness of distrustful disobedience. Your trusting obedience may relate to money. Hold finances with an open hand and watch God work. Money can be God’s tool to facilitate His work, or it can be Satan’s obstacle that keeps you from trusting obedience.

Listen intently to the voice of Jesus, and then trust Him and do what He says. He has your best interest in mind. His intent is not harm but healing. Your trusting obedience will fuel the faith of others and bring glory to God. You are not alone. He is with you. You can trust Him with your obedience. Do what He says. Clarity and understanding follows trusting obedience. Trust and obey—this is His best way!