The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith
Trust and Obey
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength” (Is. 26:3-4).
These verses state a reverse continuum that is the very basis of our salvation in Jesus Christ. It starts with God’s everlasting strength, more than enough reason to believe and trust God for the salvation offered through our Lord Jesus Christ. In its turn, trust in God trains our minds to steadfastly dwell on God. And perfect peace is the result.
Psalm 4:4-5 lists the intentional, necessary, and ongoing attitudes of awe, holiness, stillness before God, sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in God that summarize our obedience to our Savior:
“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 15:1-5 (ESV) shows clearly what that looks like in everyday life:
“O Lord, who shall dwell in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
He who walks blamelessly, does what is right, speaks truth in his heart, does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against his friend, in whose eyes a vile person is despised but who honors those who fear the LORD, who swears to his own hurt and does not change, who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.”
These Old Testament verses reflect the way Jesus lived and His obedience to God His entire life on earth. Since He is our Lord, we are called to obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9). Alistair Begg recently said, “Jesus obeyed God and His Word. Therefore, we obey God when we obey Jesus” (Pilgrim Radio, “Second Period”; July 28, 2020).
“From the cross of Christ comes Salvation, and trust in Him produces peace that surpasses understanding.
From the perspective of peace comes joy, and the outcome of joy is God’s power unleashed.
From the exercise of God’s power comes the preaching of the Gospel, and through the preaching of the Gospel the Holy Spirit brings many to Salvation in Christ” (Susan Merritt, PhD ©2020)
Sometimes we even use words to preach the Gospel, but not always!
