trust and obey

"Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him!" - Job 13:14-16 (NIV)

"The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident." - Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV)

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour." - Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

When this world totally fails, the ground for joy remains. God. Therefore, surely every prayer for life and health and home and family and job and ministry in this world is secondary. And the great purpose of prayer is to ask that - in and through all his gifts - God would be our joy.

- John Piper, When I Don't Desire God

it would be easy to trust and obey a god of health, wealth and prosperity. but God is not a god of health, wealth and prosperity.

[of course, there is nothing inherently evil about health, wealth and prosperity. in fact, they are good gifts from God which should be received with thanksgiving - if God so chooses to bless us with them. however, our faith in God does not depend on them.]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." - Romans 14:17-18 (NIV)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 (NIV)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." - Isaiah 55:12-13 (NIV)

it is no coincidence that joy and peace are the second and third manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit (the first is love). indeed, love, joy and peace - and for that matter, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - are inextricably linked.

how then shall we fight for joy?

give them all to Jesus

Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?
Are you tired of spinning round and round?
Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life
At the feet of Jesus lay them down

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy

He never said you'd only see sunshine
He never said there'd be no rain
He only promised a heart full of singing
At the very things that once brought pain

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

i have stuck a copy of this passage on the wall above my bedside table so that i can be reminded of it every night before i go to sleep. if God provides for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, how much more will He provide for us - if we would seek first His kingdom and His righteousness!

we shall fight for joy by living one day at a time. we shall fight for joy by living in the present. we shall fight for joy by trusting and obeying, living according to the will of God.

trust and obey

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

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey