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Third Verse Devotion: Trust and Obey

I can still recall this hymn from my youth. It was most often the offertory hymn. Four men would gather at the back of the church when the song leader gave the cue. It went something like this. “For our offertory hymn, let’s stand as we sing the first, second, and last verses of…” That was all it took, and they would leave their seats as we all stood with hymnals in hands. I wonder if this wasn’t one of his favorite hymns. We seemed to sing it every other Sunday. The men would stand at the back and wait for the last verse then march down the aisle to stand before the pulpit. The song leader would nod at one of them to pray or the pastor would come to pray then they would begin to take the offering. I didn’t realize then that this was just as much a part of worship as the preaching and singing. Giving back to the Lord just a portion of what He had given to us.

Take a moment to read the verses to the hymn.

1 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.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]

3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]

4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]

United Methodist Hymnal, 1989

Hymnary.org

The hymn was written by John H. Sammis around 1887. He was a businessman who was born in New York. He eventually settled in Logansport, Indiana where he became a secretary for the local YMCA. He later became a Presbyterian minister. He is said to have penned more than 100 other songs.

The backstory for the hymn is uncertain as I have read at least two varying accounts. However, what is clear is that a gentleman stood up during a Dwight Moody revival in Brockton, Massachusetts and stated, “I am not quite sure – but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.” This statement was the catalyst for Sammis to pen the hymn.

Verse three is our primary focus. Sammis reminds us that “we never can prove the delights of his love…” What a beautiful thought.  We can never out test God’s love. God is steadfast in His love for us. He does not waver; He does not change. His greatest act of love is when he sent Jesus to the cross. In return, we lay everything on the altar. Give our all to Him.

Sammis points out it is in this giving everything on the altar, this trusting and obeying, that we experience His favor and the fullness of His joy. Indeed, we are encouraged to trust Jesus for our eternity, and we show our love for Him by our obedience.

There are examples of individuals experiencing the delights of God’s love, favor, and joy throughout the Bible. These experiences are accompanied by trust and obedience. I do not say that the path is easy. Many in the scriptures who chose to trust and obey had difficult journeys and troubled paths. Yet their joy was complete knowing they had accomplished what their God had sent them to do.

Psalm 84:12 encourages us, “LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” (NIV)

What is the Lord asking you to do? Are you hesitant to begin? Let me encourage you to take that first shaky step. Will you be like the gentleman I mentioned at the beginning from Dwight Moody’s service? I will trust. I will obey.

Trust and obey

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey

Angela

Posted on by Angela

Nicodemus

John is unlike any of the other three gospels. He records events that may not be included in Matthew, Mark or Luke. The story of Nicodemus is one such story. We don’t know much about Nicodemus. We don’t know where he was born, who his parents were, how old he was, or if he had a wife or children. Yet what we do know is enough to make a big difference in our lives. He gives us an example to follow as we observe his interaction with Jesus.

NIGHTTIME VISITOR

The first time we see Nicodemus is at night. He comes to Jesus as a nighttime visitor. John 3:1-21 records the interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus. We learn the most about Nicodemus’s background here in the first two verses of the chapter.

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;

this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him,

 “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher;

for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.””

 (John 3:1-2 NASB)

Question: What do you learn about Nicodemus from these two verses?

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus had gained some prominence. He was not only a Pharisee but also a ruler of the Jews. There is a difference in the two groups. Not all Pharisees were rulers of the Jews and not all rulers of the Jews were Pharisees.

Pharisees were a sect of Jews that became popular during the period between Malachi and Matthew. We know it as the intertestamental period. They held to strict adherence to the law both oral and written. Much of their influence is still felt in Jewish thought today. They were antagonistic to Jesus throughout His ministry.

He came to Jesus at night for a conversation. He recognized Jesus as a teacher, calling him Rabbi. He included the whole group of Pharisees in his beginning remarks saying, “we know…” Maybe this was a way for him to enter the conversation with less focus on himself.

Question: How do you enter awkward conversations? Do you try to deflect to a larger group, so the attention isn’t on you alone?

The fact that Nicodemus came at night could have much meaning or no meaning. Jesus and Nicodemus were busy men. So, maybe coming at night was a time when both of their schedules would have allowed intimate conversation without interruption. On the other hand, maybe he came at night because he didn’t want to be seen coming to Jesus. He wasn’t ready for his fellow Pharisees and rulers to know he was talking to Jesus at all.

Question: Do you think there was any significance to Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night? Why do you think he came at night?

The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is eternally significant. It is through this conversation that we learn,

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish,

but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NASB)

Nicodemus did not have a lot of understanding but after verse nine he does not speak again. He comes to Jesus at night and questions and listens. His last question was, “How can these things be?” Haven’t we wondered this before? Haven’t we listened to the mystery of God and wondered “How can these things be?” We do not have all the answers. We are not expected to. God does not give us all the answers. He gives us what we need. He gives us, “for God so loved the world…”, and this is where faith begins, and it is enough.

VOICE OF REASON

The next time we see Nicodemus is in John chapter 7. The context is during the feast of booths. The feast of booths is established in Leviticus chapter 23. It is to be celebrated for seven days following grain and wine harvest.

The people were divided about who Jesus was. Some were convinced he was the Christ. Some thought he was the Prophet. Some believed in Him. Some wanted to arrest Him. The officers report to the Pharisees who wanted to know why they had not brought Jesus with them. They admitted their confusion. “No one has ever talked like this before.” (my paraphrase). So, the Pharisees took the offense and accused them of believing in him also and being led astray.

“We haven’t believed in him, have we?

This crowd they don’t know what they are doing.

 They are unlearned and accursed.”

(John 7:48-49 NASB)

It is in this raking over the coals that Nicodemus speaks up. In verse 51 we find his response.

“Our Law does not judge the person

 unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?”

Question: Have you ever stood up for something only to be attacked by friends and coworkers and maybe even family for your stance? How did you respond? What was the result of your stance?

Nicodemus is trying to bring some order and justice into the chaos. They needed to hear from Jesus himself. When Nicodemus went to Jesus that night, he listened to Him. He heard what he said. He heard his message. He may not have understood everything, but he heard him. Now he speaks out before this group of his peers based on their own law, and they refuse to listen to him. They turned on him accusing him of being one of His followers. They revealed their limited view of God with verse 52,

“Examine the scriptures and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”

Here their box-stuffed God is revealed. Just because a prophet had never come from Galilee didn’t mean God couldn’t call one from Galilee. He had never called one from inside a big fish either, yet we have Jonah. How about from a burning bush? Moses. God chooses where and when he calls his servants, not the expectations of people. He calls teachers, mechanics, bus drivers, firemen, police officers, businessmen and women, postal workers, and truck drivers. He calls people from America, England, Poland, China, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan, North Korea, Ghana, and Chile. He calls men and women from all walks of life from across the globe. He might even be calling you to spread his gospel.  

Question: Is there a work God is calling you to do? Are you unwilling to accept that calling? Why? What is holding you back?

Nicodemus has moved from a nighttime visitor to a daylight voice of reason. He has been attacked for it. Sometimes when we move to do the right thing it might not always go the way we’d hoped. We may have to go through difficult places and have difficult conversations. We may lose relationships and positions we once enjoyed. We have one more look at Nicodemus. Let’s look at this steadfast giver of time and resources.

GIVER OF TIME AND RESOURCES

This last look of Nicodemus takes place in John chapter 19. Jesus has been crucified and Joseph of Arimathea has asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted him this request and so Joseph took Jesus’s body. Here Nicodemus comes in. In both John 7 and John 13 Nicodemus is recognized as the one “who had first come to Him by night.” Here he comes, “bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes.” He and Joseph were preparing the body of Jesus for burial. Nicodemus brought about 100 pounds of the spices to cover His body as they wrapped it in the linen according to their custom.  This was an expensive mixture which Nicodemus brought. He was no longer a nighttime visitor. This was a public display of his belief in Jesus. Word would have traveled that Nicodemus had paid such a price for Jesus’s burial preparation. He, and Joseph of Arimathea, could no longer conceal under cover of darkness this deed brought them front and center as disciples of Jesus.

END OF THE STORY

We do not see Nicodemus again in the biblical record. Yet, his impact on believers and non-believers is tremendous. It is through a conversation with Jesus at night we get John 3:16. The verse which has been used to bring countless numbers to faith in Jesus. Nicodemus and Joseph give us an account of the burial of Jesus, which leads us to the tomb on Easter morning.

Where are you in this story? Are you talking to Jesus at night? Wondering how can these things be? Maybe you have moved to being a voice of reason. Have you tried to bring fairness to an unjust situation and been mocked because of it? Or have you opened your heart and resources to the garden tomb? No longer in the shadows, you are out in the open about your faith in Christ and it is precious to you, and you are walking daily with your Savior? It is not too late to begin the journey. Take a step today, won’t you?

Angela

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Third Verse Devotion: A Mighty Fortress is Our God

(Note: All scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise indicated.)

This “Battle hymn of the Reformation” has a basis on Psalm 46:1. God is our shield and our defender. He is our refuge and our help. Since this is true, all the schemes and plots of our enemy the devil are doomed to fail. This is the theme of Luther’s hymn. The driving melody and rousing words bring this song out from the quiet corner and into the front lines marching fearless and confident into whatever battle we face knowing God is our fortress. I want to look at verse three especially.

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! His doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

This stanza is filled with the truth of scripture. The first stanza of the hymn refers to our “ancient foe” who “seeks to work us woe.” It is echoed here with “this world with devils filled,” When Satan rebelled against God he took angels with him. Now Satan and his demons are at work in this world and have been since the Garden of Eden. And he’s not done. He was not content with just his own rebellion and that of angels. Satan would destroy us. In fact, he looks for the opportunity. The Bible tells us in 1Peter 5:8 that “…Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” He wants you. He wants me. Yet, this never was God’s plan for us.

The next line reminds us that we will not fear. I know that sounds easy to say but harder to do. If we watch the news or walk in someone else’s shoes for a while there may be much to fear. But I want to remind you, Christian friend, that, God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) The word timidity can also mean fear. Discipline is self-control. He has given us boldness and self-control, not fear and trembling, and running here and there. When we have the spirit of God dwelling in us, we have nothing to fear. We can stand firm. He is our refuge, our very present help in trouble. Why is it that we will not fear? Because God’s truth will triumph! How wonderful it is to note that God wins. His truth wins. We don’t need to worry. There is an answer. God has a plan. Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32: “…If you continue in My word, then you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  He also says, John 14:6 , “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Luther writes that “for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.” Freedom from the attacks of the evil one, and triumph, victory, is found through Jesus. When we surrender to Jesus, when we obey Him, when we make His desires our own, God’s truth triumphs. When we learn to love like Jesus did. When we forgive like Jesus did. When we tell others the truth of God’s love, God’s truth triumphs.

We know the battle we are in, and we know who the enemy is. God has given us many weapons for our defense. (see Ephesians 6) Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” Because we know our battle, we can endure what the enemy throws our way.

 We do not have to be afraid of the days to come. God is our very present help in times of trouble. He is our refuge and strength. He is with us. We only need run to Him. We can sing this song as a battle hymn of faith in the darkness. It brings us encouragement and assurance when things don’t make sense. I want to leave you with one last bit of hope. Satan is on a very short timetable. Revelation gives us the truth. Revelation 12:12, “For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” He only has a little while. Did you see that? His time is short. He is very angry, it is true, but the scripture reminds us that his anger stems from the fact that his time is short, while believers have eternity. Believer, cling to that hope today, rejoice and be glad. If you aren’t a believer yet, take today to make Jesus your Savior. You will find in him a friend, a help and a strength. Don’t delay. He is a Mighty Fortress.

Angela

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Notes do not Equal Action

I am a note maker and a list maker. I can make a list as long as my arm about the things I need to do or the things I want to do. I can make all sorts of notes about plans and plan about those plans. But. The problem is that until I take the first step there is no difference. Until I start to check off my list the list is not accomplished. Until I put the plan into action it is only thoughts on paper.

You should see the files and notebooks I have of stories and books I have started. I have the idea and put it down then another idea comes along and I chase after it. Somewhere I have to stop and make one story come alive and then the next and so on.

This is where this blog comes in. A place where everything comes together. You see, God did not call us just to watch the race and make notes about the race. He called us to join the race. He called us to run the race.

Whatever he is calling you to do, the dream you keep making notes about. Whatever you keep making lists about, it’s time to take action. Maybe it’s time to join the race.

Is All for One perfect? Certainly not. I still need to add some sparkle. But I have joined the race of writing that I believe God has called me to. This is a part of the race. A part of the journey if you will.

I will be here to encourage you as you begin your race. Maybe you have stumbled on your race. That is ok. Get up. Brush yourself off. Start running again. The race isn’t over.

After all its All for One.

Angela