"You did not trust Him or obey Him" (Deuteronomy 9:23).

I like trains. I suppose that's been the case since I was a small child and we stayed at my grandparents in Harwood, Missouri.  They lived near a rail line and upon hearing the train whistle I'd run as quickly as my little legs would go so I could count the engines and railroad cars.  Some of them had over 100 cars.  A couple of months ago I stayed with my friend Dave in Springfield, Missouri and his house is near train tracks. That sure brought back some neat memories and every time a train came by I just had to go look, count and of course wave to the engineers. Dave and his wife Sandy sure got a kick out of that!

Adrian Rogers, a now deceased minister of the Gospel, had a witty way of sharing and speaks of the only way to heaven being the gospel railroad, which he called the old T&O.  That probably is a takeoff of the B&O railroad, which happened to have a rail line through northern Pennsylvania when we lived up that way.

So what's the old T&O?  It's taken from an old hymn, "Trust and Obey", that always has a current and much needed message.   The title for this hymn remains a simple formula in how to successfully live for Christ.

This song gives a simple, clear explanation of living the Christian life. The expression "Trust and Obey" was used in a testimony meeting, following an evangelistic crusade in Brockton, Massachusetts, by Dwight L. Moody. A young man stood to speak, and it soon became clear he knew little Christian doctrine. But he finished by saying, “I’m not quite sure—but I’m going to trust, and I’m going to obey.” Daniel Towner, who was in the meeting, jotted down the words, and gave them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics from them. *  I suppose most of us sing this song to this day.

Today's verse is a rebuke from the Lord to the children of Israel. I purposefully only chose a part of the verse; a stunning, simple indictment of the people from their leader Moses.  "You did not trust Him or obey Him."  The failure to trust and obey is at the heart of sinful behavior.  The practice of trusting and obeying is at the heart of godly living.

Today may we all step on board that old T&O, as we trust and obey Jesus and His Word!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, though I am sometimes perplexed by that which I don't understand I have an unshakeable confidence in You.  Your Word is truth and Your promises never fail.  There are many things of which I am uncertain, but I have absolute certainty that I can trust You for everything that concerns me.  May obedience be an expression of my unwavering trust and devoted love toward You, my Savior.  Amen.

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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 shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or 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 or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

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.

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.

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And for fun here's an audio version of "This train is bound for glory" featuring the real Johnny Cash.

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* From the Cyberhymnal website. We lived about 15 miles from Brockton when we served a church in New England (Taunton, Massachusetts).

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I took today's photo of the steam engine on the Strasburg Railroad, a tourist train ride here in Lancaster County.  It literally does go to a small town called Paradise! Our last memorable leisure time with my Mom was on a train ride this last Labor Day. She went to be with the Lord in November.