Manuscripts

TRUST AND OBEY by Royce Williamson Royce is a 1989 graduate of Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin. He has held full time preaching positions in Oklahoma and Texas. He currently preaches for the Fifth and Grape Street church of Christ in Abilene, Texas and is now in his 5th year in that work. He has been on mission campaigns in Ecatapec, Mexico, which is in the Mexico City metropolitan area. He has been privileged to speak on various brotherhood lectureships and gospel meetings. Royce is married to Joy Latonne (Tonne) Bonnett, and they have two children: Chad, who is married to Ashli (Boyle), and Elicia who is married to Blake Josselet. Royce and Tonne are the proud grandparents of Wyatt and Julie, the children of Chad and Ashli. Royce and Tonne were members of the church in Dripping Springs from 1985-1989 during which time Royce served as a deacon. Tonne grew up in Dripping Springs where her father, Hershel Bonnett, served as an elder for a number of years before moving to Ballinger, Texas to ranch full time. Introduction Certainly, Trust and Obey is one of the most enduring hymns to have ever been penned. This hymn speaks of two of Christianity’s most fundamental tenets, faith (belief) and the resulting unwavering, undying obedience to God. There is probably not a child anywhere with any amount of training and attendance in Bible classes and worship services that does not know at least the first stanza and chorus of this song. Its lyrics virtually run the spectrum of what true Biblical faith is all about. It will be my sincere desire to discuss each verse with the main idea of fully trusting in, and fully obeying the God of all creation. Historical Background of the Song From a biographical perspective, very little was available about either one of the men responsible for this beloved hymn. Both were Presbyterians. The lyrics to Trust and Obey were written by J. H. Sammis, and then set to music by Daniel B. Towner. Of the two men, more information was available to me on D. B. Towner. Since the circumstances and inspiration for writing this song surrounded an event in Towner’s own life, it is only fitting that we devote our biographical efforts to him, for without that event, the song would have never been written. D. B. Towner was born and raised in Pennsylvania, the home of several other well known composers of religious songs such as Ira D. Sankey, The Ninety and Nine; James McGranahan, Showers of Blessings; Philip P. Bliss, Wonderful Words of Life; and many others. From the following statement by Clint Bonner we can determine that Daniel B. Towner was born in 1849. “He was still singing in his seventieth year when, on October 3, 1919, he was stricken at a revival in Missouri and died” (132). We also learn that as a youth, “Daniel B. Towner had also the advantage of being reared in a family of musicians and singers. His father, J.G. Towner, taught young Daniel to sing and to read notes before the boy was old enough to read the letters of the alphabet” (131). After writing and teaching music, and directing choirs for a number of years in places like New York City and Cincinnati, in 1885 at the age of 35, Daniel Towner joined up with Dwight L. Moody’s corps of song directors. It was at a Brockton, Massachusetts revival that Towner heard the phrase that inspired this song. At this revival, personal testimonies were being called for and a young man stood up and said, “I am not sure…but I am going to trust and obey” (132). D. B. Towner wrote the phrase down and sent it to his “Presbyterian minister-friend J. H. Sammis” (132), explaining the circumstances surrounding the young man’s statement. Sammis, in turn, wrote the lyrics and sent them back to Towner who set the poem to music. What a beautiful melody, and what glorious lyrics that stir the soul when we sing this song. Each verse draws on a different aspect of man’s trust in God, and his obedience to Him. Discussion Verse 1: The first verse reads: 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. As Christians we are instructed to “walk the walk,” NOT just “talk the talk” of faithful Christian living. We are to “walk circumspectly” (Eph. 5:15). That is to say, we are to walk with caution, exercising care. “Circumspect” is defined for us in Webster’s New World Dictionary as to, “look around considering all the circumstances before acting, judging, deciding.” This means that our Christian walk; every facet of our life, should be viewed from a 360 degree perspective. Furthermore, Paul told the church at Rome to “walk in the steps of faith” (Rom. 4:12) which fits in nicely with the sentiments of this song. From the moment that we are baptized into Christ, we are raised up to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). Indeed, our walk is to be “in the light of His Word.” The person who truly walks, as God would have him/her to walk, has the distinct advantage of God’s illuminating Word. The psalmist summed things up very well for us in Psalm 119:105 when he penned these words, “Thy word is a light unto my feet, and lamp unto my path.” Without the benefit of God’s word, we have no direction in life; “…the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). Additionally, we are told that we must walk in God’s light if we desire fellowship with His elect (1 John 1:5-7). Anybody, who will not walk in the light of God’s Word (which are His teachings) must bear the darkness of his unforgiving sins. This verse conclusively teaches that we must walk the walk; that we must keep God’s commandments. Notice, “While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.” All who will do the will of the Father will enjoy the blessing of His abiding presence. Jesus was quite succinct when He said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Verses 2 and 3: These two verses go hand in hand because they speak of the realities of the tests and trials that will inevitably come in the Christian’s life. However, unlike the person who has no hope because they have yet to fully put their trust and obedience in the God of all creation, the child of God will not long remain in despair. Consider these two verses: Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor fear, Not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief nor a loss, Not a frown nor a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey. Such expressions as “shadow” and “cloud” are ominous signs depicting the trials to which our faith will be put. Regardless of the trials and tests of life that come our way, through our faith in the Lord, we can be victorious. Paul wrote of his full persuasion that neither death, life, the principalities and the powers that be, things present, nor things to come, will be able to separate us from God’s love. This is true because he was writing to Christians, those who were in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:38-39). Paul would tell the church at Philippi that regardless of what state or condition of life he found himself in, he could be content. But this was true only because the strength that he received came from his relationship with Christ (Phi. 4:11-13). The writer of this hymn speaks of the “burden” and “sorrow” that come our way; yet, we are not to despair. Why? Because of the reward that awaits our faithful obedience! “But our toil He doth richly repay” speaks of the richly generous compensation that we will receive for our faithful service and work in the vineyard. And the marvelous thing is that we don’t have to wait until we enter the portals of heaven to enjoy relief from these burdens and sorrows. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29). Because our Lord was tempted and suffered just as we are, He is able to assist us in our time of trials and temptations (Heb. 2:18). Of course we must not forget the promise of the crown of victory, which is the crown of righteousness, that awaits those who fight the good fight of faith, and that stay the course and finish the Christian race (2 Tim. 4:6-8). All of the words such as doubt, fear, sigh, tear, grief, loss, frown, and cross are ways of expressing the trials and the tests that come our way. The word cross in particular has long been the symbol of great suffering. Ever since the Roman Empire’s perfection of crucifixion, the cross has symbolized pain, torture, and a horrifying death. Yet, armed with an enduring faith, we will ultimately be blessed. Verse 4 This verse speaks volumes to us of our responsibility to fully submit ourselves to the Lord. Only when we do this will we enjoy His rich blessings. But we never can prove The delights of His love, Until all on the alter we lay; For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for those who will trust and obey. Jesus plainly stated that those who truly love Him will keep His commandments (John 14:15). We learned from Matthew 7:21 that our very entrance into heaven depends on us submitting ourselves to the Father, and doing His will while on this earth. Hebrews 5:9 tells us that Jesus became the “author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Our home of the soul, that glorious heavenly home, and the day when no more sorrows, suffering, tears, or death will exist, all hinges on our faithful service and obedience to the will of the Father and His Son. Dear friends, we must completely submit our will to that of God. Paul wrote these powerful and compelling words to the church at Rome, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2). James penned it this way, “Submit yourselves therefore to God…Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (Jam. 4:7-8). Verse 5 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. What sweet fellowship the faithful child of God has with his Savior. What comfort we have knowing that we are not alone in our Christian walk. The Christian can truly echo the thoughts of King David in Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Jesus Himself promised in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” The Hebrew writer echoed the words of God as given to Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). And what about our own attitude when it comes to saying to the Lord, “Here am I, send me”? I am afraid that too many have the idea, “Here am I, as long as I don’t have to go away, or leave my family and friends.” Brethren, the sentiment of the song is the correct sentiment. Conclusion: The chorus makes for a fitting conclusion to our thoughts. It reads, Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Jesus plainly tells us that there is only one way to eternal joy and happiness and only one way to the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). This can only be accomplished by a deep and abiding trust in the Christ, and His promises for our faithfulness. A deep and abiding trust means that we will obey Him in all things. May God bless us as we strive daily to walk in the footsteps of our Lord! May we strive to live as God would have us to live, and may we all one day be joined together with the Lord in heaven, throughout all eternity. END NOTE 1. Bonner, Clint (1959), A Hymn Is Born, Stories of Favorite Hymns and How They Were Written (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press).