Trust and Obey, and the Lord Will Bless

Peace to you, brothers and sisters. I am Billy Lin, currently serving in the Pomegranate Zone. I would like to share two things: first, we must trust God; second, we must obey God.

Trust God

Those who trust God are blessed. I grew up in a Christian family and often followed my mother to worship when I was young. As an adult I attended church only occasionally, and it was not until Easter 2010 that I was baptised. For many years my mother prayed for her children. Later I understood that faith is personal: each of us must establish a direct relationship with God and trust Him for ourselves.

My mother trusted God wholeheartedly. Although she could not read and had little formal education, she had wisdom because she knew and trusted the Lord. Her favourite saying was, “Trust the Lord in everything.” Scripture says that knowing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and God often gave her words of insight. In 2004, communication was less convenient than it is today. We had not told our family that my wife was pregnant. One day my sister asked whether it was true, because Mum had heard God tell her that my wife was two months pregnant and carrying a boy. It was exactly so. God truly loves those who reverently and wholeheartedly trust Him, and He speaks to them.

I also remember when we hoped for a second child but nothing happened for a long time. Mum prayed for us but received no clear answer. She then advised us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Come before Him yourselves and pray. Stop opening your shop on Sundays. Rest for one day and go to church to worship.” At that time we ran a clothing and variety shop in Otahuhu, seven days a week. Closing for one day meant losing a day’s turnover while still paying rent.

But God is Jehovah Jireh. He does not allow those who trust Him to lack what they need. After we followed Mum’s advice and opened only six days a week, our weekly turnover did not fall; it increased to what we had previously earned in seven days. We earned no less and also received a day of rest. More importantly, God heard our prayer and gave us a second child. When we listened, came before God and established a personal relationship with Him, we learned that those who trust Him are blessed and lack no good thing. God supplies all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Obey God

Those who obey God are also blessed. I came to EFCCA at the end of May 2023. Our children were older and needed a church with English preaching. One month later, Pastor Dong asked us to serve in the English congregation. We had many concerns. We were new, knew few people, and felt the pressure would be great. But remembering the pastor’s words of encouragement and edification, we chose to obey. We believed that God would open a way and decided to serve by faith.

At that time the English congregation was made up mainly of high-school students. Adolescence brought strong personalities and made ministry challenging. Thanks be to God, He raised up the young people themselves to serve willingly, together with several young co-workers. Everyone complemented one another and served in unity. How good and beautiful that was.

When we choose obedience and actively work with God, He also works in us. He renews our minds and gives us strength. God values a humble, obedient and willing heart more than ability, talent or wealth. When we offer ourselves in this way, He brings something out of nothing and gives grace upon grace and strength upon strength.

Serving God is an opportunity to experience Him more deeply, grow spiritually and taste His goodness. We ourselves often receive the greatest benefit. Therefore, we should courageously take the first step. I often feel inadequate, but I am willing to obey, face difficulties as they come, pray and ask God to open the way. As Paul says in Romans, if God is for us, who can be against us? God will surely help those who obey Him.

We know that the God we believe in is the one true God and that our faith is real. Only when we believe will we look up to Him; only when we trust will we depend on Him; and obedience is the necessary action that flows from trust. Therefore, trust and obey, and the Lord will bless. Thanks be to the Lord. Amen.