I think a simpler and more accurate (though perhaps less poetic) statement would be “trust and obey, for that is the only reasonable way to live.” It is the kind of life for which we were created, and it is the kind of life God expects us to lead. And while I would readily agree with the sentiment expressed by Mr. Sammis, I think it necessary to point out that being in Jesus does not always make me happy. As a matter of fact, Jesus Himself was rather unhappy very often during His life. Happiness is derived from situations in which I find pleasant the things which are happening. The questions arise then, “What happiness do I experience from trusting and obeying God? Which things ought I view as pleasant when obedience is often painful?” If we are to answer these questions, I know of no other place to look than the cross of Jesus Christ, where the ultimate obedience was rendered.
We are following “a man of sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:1-3)
Before we can look for and understand the joy of trusting and obeying God, we need to accept that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Overlooking or ignoring this fact will not change reality, but such denial will lead us to deep disappointment. If my goal is to avoid pain and sadness, to shield my heart from those things which pierce it through and through, then I will either have to forsake Jesus or harden my heart to feeling the pain, which will in turn keep me from experiencing any possible joy as well, and will most certainly lead me to forsaking Jesus anyway. Jesus makes it very clear that men will reject and despise me in the same way they did Him, if I follow Him. (John 15:18-21)
A clear understanding and acceptance of this reality is critical to cultivating a heart capable of experiencing true joy, yet there is a lie perpetuated which can distort the reality of obedience for the Christian in 21st century America: Work is only truly fulfilling and satisfying when it makes one feel good. This is just not true, and certainly not everyone believes it, but there is evidence of it all around us. You see this attitude in business as people break their backs looking for that perfect career, so that they may proclaim each day, “Oh, how I love my job!” You see this attitude in relationships as spouses who are unwilling to do the unpleasant work of addressing debilitating relational issues opt for divorce. The work required in obedience can often be painful, time consuming, tiring, and stressful. The effects of work on our minds and bodies do not detract from the objective value of the work itself, however. Being mocked or thought of as stupid or superstitious is not pleasant, nor is being slandered, rejected, or despised. Nevertheless, the unpleasantness of the response in no way devalues the objectively critical message and the hope it brings. I can feel the natural feelings of disappointment, sadness, and even anger at the evil and injustice of godless men rejecting God’s Word, but my focus ought to be on the benefit of the work being done. The joy of my obedience must transcend the moments in which the obedience itself is rendered. This joy is not a result of doing what is simply pleasant, but what is right.
Obedience is not about me. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Jesus also demonstrates that obedience is a selfless practice. There is a sense in which obedience is about me, in that I am the one submitting to God’s commands, but there is also a sense in which it is not about me, since God is the one to who I am submitting. Since obeying God will often require that I experience unpleasantness to some degree, focusing on myself, how I feel, will prohibit me from ever submitting to the will of God. (Romans 8:5-8) It is in this submission that I begin to understand that my obedience is even less about me still, as God wants my focus to be on helping others as He continues to help me to do so. I will certainly suffer as a result of my own sins and the sins of others, but to follow Jesus’ example in my obedience, I must sacrifice and suffer for the purpose of helping others, including the ones who harm me personally. We have already examined why our joy must transcend our immediate circumstances, but our concept of joy must also include rejoicing in the salvation and healing of others, even at our own expense.
Critical Humility (Isaiah 53:7-9)
There is a disposition of humility which is essential to enduring the pain I do not deserve while denying myself of my own wants and potential needs. Jesus shows that in His defenselessness before and during the ordeal of the cross. He demonstrates strength and self-control in His silence, faith in His steadfastness, and He does so having lowered Himself farther than any man could ever perceive. Paul says that we are to have this mind, which will enable us to obey God with the correct attitude. (Philippians 2:1-8) How would you feel, though, if the person you were trying to help was making your life miserable and making you out to be the bad guy in all of it? How would you handle that? Jesus handled it by entrusting Himself to God who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:19-24) Our acceptance of the reality of obedience as work that is not always pleasant, which helps us to look past our immediate circumstances to compliance with what is right; our selfless attitudes that seek the good of others; and the humility which enables us to rest in the fact that God will always do the right thing will bring us the kind of lasting joy that is found only in Jesus Christ.
Rejoicing in the Fulfillment of God’s Will (Isaiah 53:10-12)
The knowledge that God always wills what is good for me is given true meaning when I consider that He has the power to deliver that good, and His will is always done. This is no exception for the one suffering for the benefit of another. God Himself is faithful and rewards those who are faithful to Him. The will of God is that all men be saved, which necessarily requires those God has already pronounced righteous (through their trust in and obedience to His Son) to make sacrifices to bring the unrighteous to God through Christ. The ultimate reality is that my obedience, though it does benefit me, is about God and being a positive part of His plan. (Romans 8:12-18; Philippians 2:12-13) Trusting and obeying God brings me happiness in Jesus because while what is happening may not be pleasant, I can rejoice in the fact that God’s eternally good will is being done, that it means the strengthening and healing of others and the just judgement of all, and that I will be rewarded for remaining true to what is right.