Views: 52

Daniel B. Towner, composer of the tune for the favorite hymn, “Trust and Obey”, wrote the following about the origins of this well-known gospel hymn:

“Mr. Moody [Dwight L.] was conducting a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts [presumably in 1886] and I had the pleasure of singing for him there. One night a young man rose in a testimony meeting and said, “I am not quite sure-but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.” I just jotted that sentence down, and sent it with the little story to the Rev. John H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister. He wrote the hymn, and the tune was born.”

John Henry Sammis (1846 – 1919) — who was a successful businessman but became an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, and later became a teacher at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles — wrote the chorus lines first and then the five stanzas, after which Towner composed the tune. The hymn was published in Hymns Old and New (1887). Because of its use in the Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey crusades and its printing in Sankey hymnals, “When We Walk with the Lord” became widely known.

Here are the lyrics.

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.

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]

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]

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]

This hymn has 1 John 5:2-3 as a supporting scripture.

READ 1 John 5:2-4

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.  

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:2-4)

John,  the son of Zebedee and disciple of Jesus — also called John The Apostle — wrote these words from Ephesus to some of the churches.

In summary, he says we can only demonstrate our love to God by keeping His commandments. And when we love God and keep His commandments, then we can be assured that we love God’s children as well.

Love is a communicable attribute of God — meaning humans have a form of it — and the human linkage of love, with agreement and obedience, emanates from God.

Jesus said,

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)

To obey God therefore is a demonstration of love for God. Please help me sing “Trust and Obey“.

MEMORY VERSE

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” (1 John 5:3 )

QUESTIONS

1. Do you love God? 

2. Do you obey His commandments? It is the only way we demonstrate our love for Him.

PRAYER TIP

Father, Please help us to keep Your commandments, in our demonstration of lobe to you.

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

Credits:

1. Hymnary.Org, “https://hymnary.org/”
2. Ira D. Sankey, “The Story of the Gospel Hymns”

URGENT CALL

If you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior, you need to do that now!

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page. God bless you.

🌹 SPECIAL GRATITUDE 🌹

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled. 🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission.