Trust and Obey

In Hanna-Barbera’s “Wacky Races,” Penelope Pitstop is the classic damsel in distress. Often tied to the railroad track by her nemesis, The Hooded Claw, she was unable to do anything except yell, in true Southern style, “HAY-ULP! HAY-ULP!” As the train drew near and Penelope’s end seemed near, goodness always prevailed and she lived to see another day!

That train is always coming at us! The ending often differs -- sometimes the outcome is positive, other times not so. What matters most is how we face life’s situations: with an obedience-based or outcome-based faith? What if Jesus had been overcome by the looming threats of the cross? Based on what we know of death-by-crucifixion, the decision should have been easy -- who wants to die that way! The call is the same for us ... a call to deny self, yielding instead to Christ-centered living. This means putting an end to frequent frivolous yells of "Help! Help!" and rather, practicing an obedient faith in God then graciously accepting His work in us through difficult circumstances. "A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 28:20) Oh, the reward of living in the Promised Land – a reward only to the faithfully obedient! So, don’t be alarmed when you hear that train whistle and feel the rumble of the tracks; just know it’s your cue to trust and obey and leave the outcome to our Sovereign God!