Trust and Obey

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

The Christian life is built on two simple but profound commands: trust God, and obey Him. During Lent, we are called back to these basics—not to oversimplify faith, but to refocus it.

Trust begins with surrender. It’s letting go of our need to control outcomes and leaning instead on the wisdom and goodness of God. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). Trust is not the absence of fear, but the decision to place our fears in God’s hands.

Obedience flows from that trust. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience isn’t about earning God’s favor—it’s our response to His love. As Oswald Chambers wrote, “Trust is the deliberate commitment of oneself to God. Obedience is proof that you trust Him.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it even more bluntly: “Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.” Belief and obedience are two sides of the same coin.

The hymn “Trust and Obey” reminds us that there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus. Not because we must be perfect, but because God meets us in our trust and honors our obedience with His presence.

This Lent, ask: Where is God inviting me to trust Him more fully? Where is He calling me to obey more faithfully?

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to trust You when I can’t see the way and to obey even when it’s hard. You are faithful. Help me walk in step with You, in trust and obedience. Amen.