Part 2: Trust Him Completely and Obey Him Willingly
Every healthy relationship is built on trust, and our relationship with God is no exception.
Last time, I introduced the idea of having the kind of relationship with God that is pleasing to Him by asking the question, “What does God want in a relationship with me?” We discovered that God wants to be known authentically and that He desires intimate fellowship with us. (See What Does God Want in a Relationship with Me? Part 1.)
1. God Wants to Be Trusted—Completely
Our trust in Him demonstrates confidence in His character. We trust that He is good. We trust that He is faithful. We trust that He knows what is best. When we trust in His unchanging character, we can believe that:
- He can be trusted when we don’t understand.
- He can be trusted when His timing seems slow.
- He can be trusted when circumstances are painful.
- He can be trusted when His plans differ from our own.
Trust says, “God, I believe You are good even when I can’t see what You are doing.”
Trust is not believing that God will always do what I want. Rather, it is believing that He will do what is right—and what is right is always best. That is why we can confidently pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10).
Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us this wonderful promise:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
What a beautiful invitation to trust God’s leadership and follow His direction.
2. God Wants to Be Obeyed—Willingly
Obedience is the evidence of trust.
Jesus said:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
I do not think of God as a harsh taskmaster standing over us with a list of rules to enforce. Rather, I think of Him as a loving Father who knows what is best for His children and lovingly directs them along the path of life.
When He says, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21), I can obey because I trust His heart.
It is much like a parent saying to a young child, “Hold my hand while we cross the street.” The parent understands dangers the child cannot see and acts out of love and protection. In the same way, God’s instructions are not burdensome; they are expressions of His care for us.
Trust and Obedience Work Together
Trust and obedience create a beautiful cycle in our walk with God:
- We trust God.
- Therefore, we obey God.
- As we obey God, we discover that He is faithful.
- Discovering His faithfulness causes us to trust Him more.
- Greater trust leads to greater obedience.
Trust deepens obedience, and obedience deepens trust.
I have learned that the longer I walk with the Lord, the more I can trust Him. He has proven His faithfulness time and time again.
The Timeless Message of “Trust and Obey”
As I was preparing to write this blog, an old familiar hymn came to mind: Trust and Obey.
More than a century ago, John H. Sammis captured this truth after hearing a young man’s testimony at an evangelistic meeting. He penned these well-known words:
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.”
The hymn reminds us that the Christian life is not complicated. God desires a relationship built on confidence in His goodness and expressed through willing obedience to His Word.
Final Thoughts
When we ask, “What does God want in a relationship with me?” the answer is surprisingly simple.
He wants us to trust Him completely and obey Him willingly.
He wants us to believe that His heart is good, His wisdom is perfect, and His ways are best.
Every healthy relationship rests upon trust, and our relationship with God is no different. As we learn to trust Him more, obedience becomes less of a duty and more of a joyful response to His love.
May we learn to trust Him more deeply, obey Him more fully, and discover the faithfulness that comes from walking closely with Him.
Questions for Reflection
- In what area of my life am I finding it most difficult to trust God right now?
- Is there something God has asked me to do that I have been hesitant to obey? Why?
- How has God proven His faithfulness to me in the past, and how can those experiences strengthen my trust today?
- Do I view obedience as a burden, or as a loving response to God’s goodness and wisdom?
- What is one practical step of trust or obedience that I can take this week?
Closing Thought:
What does God want in a relationship with me? He wants me to trust Him completely and obey Him willingly.
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