The simple words of faith struck the soul of song leader,
Pastor Daniel Towner. Quickly he jotted down the sentence. Afterward, Pastor
Towner wrote a letter to his friend, Pastor John H. Sammis, giving a quick
report of the young man’s testimony and the stirring words he had said.
As soon as Pastor Sammis read his friend’s letter, he
realized the testimony was perfect for a hymn. First came the refrain: “Trust
and obey for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and
obey.”
Daniel Brink Towner was an American composer who held a
Doctorate of Music and used his abilities to develop the music to several well-known
Christian hymns including “At Calvary,” “Saved by the Blood” and “Send Out a
Light.”
Towner was born in Rome, Pennsylvania, in 1850. He received
his early musical training from his father, J. G. Towner. He later studied
under John Howard, George Root and James Webb.
Towner was the music director at Centenary Methodist
Church, in Binghamton, New York (1870-1882); York Street Methodist Episcopal
Church, in Cincinnati, Ohio (1882-1884); Union Methodist Episcopal Church, in
Covington, Kentucky (1884-1885); and Moody Bible Institute in Chicago,
Illinois (1893-1919).
As a composer of music for evangelistic purposes, Dr. Towner
occupied a prominent place among writers. He was a very able leader of choirs
and of large assemblies, and an impressive singer, possessing a well-trained
baritone voice of unusual compass and power and of smooth and pleasing quality,
which he used to the best advantage and with blessing to multitudes wherever he
sang.
Pastor Towner joyfully led music at many of Dwight L.
Moody’s revival meetings. In 1893, Pastor Towner became the first director of
the Moody Bible Institute Music Department. In his lifetime, he composed over
2,000 hymns. He was leading singing in a revival when suddenly, without
warning, Pastor Towner passed from this life into eternity. Both he and his
friend, Pastor Sammis, were still in ministry when God called them home.
John H. Sammis lived from 1846–1919. He was born in Brooklyn,
New York, and at age 23 moved to Indiana. He became a successful businessman
and through his work with the YMCA he was called to full-time ministry. He was
an active Christian layman. He graduated from seminary in 1881 when he was
thirty-five years old, and afterward pastored churches in the Midwest. Later,
Pastor Sammis served as a professor at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles until
his death in 1919. He wrote over 100 hymns.
An unknown, young man gave a quiet, spontaneous testimony at an evangelistic meeting one evening that inspired a hymn that would touch the lives of millions of people all over the world. No one knows his name. That’s encouraging. It is an example that God can use every faithful word that we utter and every faithful deed that we do in ways beyond our imagining. When we get to heaven, God will show us how much He has done with the little deeds and kindnesses that we have long since forgotten.
Godsbless.ing: This verse speaks to the importance of living a life guided by God’s light. It emphasizes the idea of walking in the light, which symbolizes living in truth, righteousness, and grace. Walking in the light encourages us to have a close relationship with God, to seek His guidance and presence in our everyday lives. This fellowship with God is depicted as essential for our spiritual growth and well-being. It offers a sense of communion with our Creator, providing us with comfort, strength, and direction in our journey.
Bibleref.com: Doing God's will cannot save us, of course—no good works can overcome our sin. We are saved by Christ's sacrifice, when we put our trusting faith in Him. However, a natural outcome of salvation is a desire to do God's will. This is a hallmark of the believer, and only the believer will live with God forever. More immediately, John is explaining that a life lived in fellowship with God will go on forever, while earthly things will someday be gone.
Scripturesavvy.com: This is a beautiful depiction of how God nurtures us . . . The imagery employed in this verse may evoke feelings of peace and rest as we embrace the understanding that, despite whatever turmoil we may face, we are cradled under His wings. It beckons us to trust in the care that God has for us, recognizing that His heart is to protect us lovingly. Reflecting upon these phrases can strengthen our faith and inspire hope amidst our struggles.
Scripturesavvy.com: In this context, to be filled with “all joy and peace” means to experience a profound emotional and spiritual state that can only come from trusting in God. It signifies a trust that goes beyond mere belief – it’s about putting our hope and reliance on God. Through this trust, believers find a sense of joy even amidst life’s struggles and peace that surpasses understanding.
Godsbless.ing: “To accept their lot and be happy in their toil” encapsulates the essence of contentment, urging individuals to find fulfillment in their circumstances and work. This mirrors Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:11-12, highlighting the importance of learning contentment in all situations. In today’s society, where success is often equated with material wealth, this message resonates deeply. True contentment and joy stem from recognizing and cherishing God’s blessings, rather than incessantly pursuing more.
Scripturesavvy.com: When God says, “In the time of my favor,” it indicates that God has set times when He shows grace. This might mean that there are moments in our lives when we feel more connected to God, or when we experience major blessings. Understanding this concept is crucial for us as believers because it can help us wait patiently for God’s providence. It reassures us that God has perfect timing, unlike our human impatience . . . God is extending His hand of favor toward us all. We may feel lost and unsure about where we stand in our relationship with God. However, the beauty of this scripture is that it presents an open invitation to experience God’s grace. We don’t need to feel qualified for it; we just need to be willing to accept it.
Kingjamesbibleonline.org, Matthew Henry’s Commentary: By His grace and Holy Spirit, He directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. By His providence He overrules events, so as to make their way plain. He does not always show them His way for a distance, but leads them step by step, as children are led. God will keep them from being ruined by their falls.
Scripturesavvy.com: This verse provides comfort and assurance that those who live by God’s guidance are firmly rooted. Their faith equips them to navigate the ups and downs of life with God’s wisdom lighting their path. In doing so, it offers a sense of security; we can be confident that our steps won’t lead us astray when God’s law guides us.
The hymn reminds us that obedience is the outflow of our trust in God. As we trust Him, we can more readily obey Him. Satan may tempt us to think negatively about obeying our authorities. He may whisper, “If you obey God, you’ll have to stop doing what makes you happy.” However, the truth about obedience is the joyful fruit it yields.
