Faith Through Obedience: Trusting God in Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience Activates Faith

Obedience is the key that unlocks the power of faith in our lives, while disobedience quenches it and keeps us from experiencing God’s promises. Throughout Scripture, we see that those who trusted God enough to obey—even when it didn’t make sense—were the ones who received His commendation and blessing. Whether it was Abel offering a better sacrifice, Noah building an ark before the rain, or Abraham leaving everything behind, their faith was proven genuine by their willingness to do what God asked. Obedience is not always easy, but it is always necessary if we want to see God move in our situations. [05:22]

Hebrews 11:1, 7-8 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. … By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Reflection: What is one area where God is calling you to obey Him today, even if it doesn’t make sense or feels uncomfortable? Will you take a step of obedience and trust Him with the outcome?

Day 2: God’s Protection in the Midst of Trials

God does not always remove us from difficult situations, but He promises to be with us and protect us as we go through them. Just as He was with Daniel in the lions’ den and with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, God’s presence is our assurance in the midst of the fire. Sometimes, obedience means staying in the hard place and trusting that God will sustain and deliver us in His way and timing. Even when we don’t understand why we’re still in the trial, we can have peace knowing that God is with us and will use our faithfulness for His glory. [21:02]

Daniel 3:16-18, 24-27 (NKJV)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” … Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” … “Look! I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” … And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

Reflection: When you are in the midst of a trial, how can you remind yourself that God is with you and trust Him to protect and sustain you, even if the situation doesn’t change right away?

Day 3: Faith and Obedience Bring Generational Impact

Our choices to trust and obey God can have ripple effects that last for generations, even when our past is broken or our present seems insignificant. Rahab, a non-Israelite and a prostitute, chose to believe in the God of Israel and obeyed by hanging the scarlet cord in her window. Her faith not only saved her and her family but also placed her in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. No matter your background or what you’re facing, your obedience today can change the course of your family and impact the world for years to come. [24:57]

Joshua 2:17-21 (NKJV)
So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. … And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.

Reflection: Is there a step of faith or obedience you sense God calling you to take that could influence your family or community for generations? What would it look like to trust Him with that legacy?

Day 4: God’s Instructions Are Unique for Each Situation

God does not always work the same way twice, and He calls each of us to seek His guidance for our specific circumstances rather than simply copying what worked for someone else or in the past. The Israelites won Jericho by marching around the walls, but never again did God use that strategy for victory. Instead, He desires that we come to Him afresh, asking, “God, what do you want me to do now?” Obedience means listening for God’s current direction and following it, even if it’s different from what we or others have done before. [27:00]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Reflection: Are you relying on old habits or someone else’s example, or are you actively seeking God’s specific direction for your current situation? How can you make space to listen for His voice today?

Day 5: Surrendering Control to God

Our human tendency is to want to take control, to do things our own way, and to trust our own plans over God’s. But true faith means surrendering our will and trusting God’s wisdom, even when it means letting go of control. Like the person who wants to drive instead of riding in the passenger seat, we often struggle to let God lead. Yet, when we surrender, we find peace and the ability to truly follow Him through whatever we face. [04:03]

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding tightly to control? What would it look like to surrender that area to God and trust Him fully with it today?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of challenges and difficult seasons, and as long as we are alive, we will face situations that test us. Jesus himself said that in this world we would have tribulation, but he also promised his peace and victory. The real question is not whether we will face hardship, but how we will respond when it comes. Faith is not just a vague hope or a feeling; it is complete trust in God, especially as we go through difficult periods. Too often, we want to be in control, to take matters into our own hands, but God calls us to surrender and trust him fully, even when it doesn’t make sense.

Obedience is at the very core of faith. Throughout Scripture, especially in Hebrews 11, we see that the heroes of faith were marked by their obedience to God’s specific instructions. Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, and many others all faced situations that required them to trust and obey, even when the path was unclear or the command seemed illogical. Obedience activates faith, while disobedience extinguishes it. Sometimes, like Abraham and Sarah, we try to fulfill God’s promises in our own way, which leads to consequences, but God’s grace still invites us back into obedience and blessing if we repent and realign ourselves with his will.

The story of Jericho and Rahab illustrates that God’s instructions are often unique to each situation and person. The Israelites had to march around the city in silence for seven days—a strategy that made no sense by human standards. Rahab, a non-Israelite and a prostitute, had to hang a scarlet cord from her window and stay inside her home, trusting that God would spare her. Both acts required faith and obedience, and both resulted in deliverance and blessing. Rahab’s obedience not only saved her family but also placed her in the lineage of Jesus, showing that our choices to obey can have generational impact.

God does not always remove us from the fire or the lion’s den, but he promises to be with us and protect us as we go through. The challenge is to seek God for his specific direction in our current situation, repent of any disobedience, and commit to obeying whatever he asks, trusting that his way leads to life and blessing.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience is the engine of faith, not just its evidence. Faith is not passive belief but active trust that is demonstrated by doing what God asks, even when it is difficult or doesn’t make sense. When we obey, our faith is strengthened and God’s power is released in our lives. [05:22]
2. God’s instructions are personal and situational. What he asks of one person may not be what he asks of another, and what worked in the past may not be his plan for today. True faith seeks God’s current word and is willing to follow his unique direction, rather than relying on formulas or copying others. [22:33]
3. Disobedience doesn’t just delay blessing; it can extinguish faith itself. When we choose our own way, we not only miss out on God’s best, but we also damage our relationship with him. Yet, God’s grace is available—if we repent and return to obedience, he can still fulfill his promises, even if we must live with some consequences. [09:28]
4. God’s presence is often most evident in the midst of the trial, not in its absence. Like Daniel in the lions’ den or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace, God may not always remove us from hardship, but he will be with us and protect us through it. Our obedience in the fire becomes a testimony of his faithfulness. [23:33]
5. The impact of our obedience can reach far beyond our own lives. Rahab’s faith and obedience not only saved her family but also placed her in the lineage of Jesus, showing that our choices today can shape destinies for generations. What God asks us to do in this season may have ripple effects we cannot yet see. [24:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - The Reality of Trials and Faith
[01:45] - The Power of Choice and Obedience
[03:24] - Our Struggle for Control
[04:42] - Surrendering Control to God
[05:22] - Obedience Activates Faith
[06:32] - Examples of Obedience in Hebrews 11
[08:03] - Abraham’s Mistake and God’s Grace
[09:28] - Moses and the Blessing of Obedience
[10:57] - Obedience to God’s Specific Word
[12:33] - The Red Sea and Jericho: Faith in Action
[14:16] - Rahab’s Story and the Walls of Jericho
[16:37] - The Scarlet Cord and the Promise
[21:02] - The Danger of Half-Obedience
[22:33] - Unique Instructions for Unique Situations
[23:33] - God’s Presence in the Fire and the Den
[24:57] - Rahab’s Legacy and Generational Impact
[29:06] - Responding to God: Repentance and Obedience

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:1, 7-8, 17, 23, 29-31 (NKJV) — > 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
> 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
> 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
> 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.
> 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
> 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
> 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
> 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

2. Joshua 2:8-21 (NKJV) (Rahab and the spies; the scarlet cord)

3. Daniel 3:16-27 (NKJV) (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace)

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 11, what is the common thread among the people listed as heroes of faith? ([06:32])
What specific instructions did God give to the Israelites and to Rahab regarding the fall of Jericho? ([14:16])
In the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, what did God do for them in the furnace? ([23:33])
What was the result of Rahab’s obedience, both for her immediate family and for future generations? ([24:57])

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon say that obedience is at the very core of faith, and not just a result of faith? How does this challenge common ideas about what faith is? ([05:22])
The Israelites and Rahab both received unique instructions from God. What does this suggest about how God leads us in different situations? ([14:16])
The sermon mentions that disobedience can “extinguish” faith. What does this mean, and how might it play out in someone’s life? ([21:02])
How does God’s presence in the midst of trials (like the lion’s den or the furnace) change the way we view suffering and hardship? ([23:33])

Application Questions

The sermon says we often want to be in control and do things our own way, even when God asks us to surrender. Can you think of a recent situation where you struggled to let go of control? What would it look like to surrender that area to God? ([04:03])
Is there a specific area in your life right now where you sense God is asking you to obey, but it doesn’t make sense or feels difficult? What is holding you back from obeying? ([14:16])
The Israelites had to follow a strange battle plan at Jericho, and Rahab had to trust a promise that seemed risky. Have you ever felt God leading you to do something that didn’t make sense to others? How did you respond? ([14:16])
The sermon says that half-obedience is not true obedience. Are there areas where you have only partially obeyed God? What steps can you take to fully obey? ([21:02])
Disobedience can damage our relationship with God, but repentance and realignment bring us back into blessing. Is there something you need to repent of today? What would it look like to realign your life with God’s will? ([09:28])
God’s instructions are personal and may not be the same for everyone. How can you seek God’s specific direction for your current situation, rather than just copying what worked for someone else? ([22:33])
Rahab’s obedience had a generational impact. How might your choices to obey God today affect your family or others in the future? ([24:57])

Sermon Clips

We all have faith. Sometimes we put our faith in the wrong thing or in the wrong people. You ever put your faith on the wrong person? Somebody told you they were going to be there and they weren't? Somebody said they were going to do something and they didn't? And we need to put our faith, our complete trust in God and God alone. [00:00:50] (17 seconds) #FaithInGodAlone

God created us with free will. That means we have the choice to accept him and the sacrifice that Jesus did on the cross, or we have the choice to reject it. Our choice. Our choice to sign for the package or to send it back to sender. It's our choice. [00:02:59] (21 seconds) #OurChoiceOurFaith

Obedience activates faith, and disobedience extinguishes faith. Obedience activates faith. Disobedience extinguishes faith. [00:05:22] (15 seconds) #ObedienceActivatesFaith

Now, God still calls Abraham the father of faith. Now, that has to be a consolation for us to understand, even if we've messed up in the past and tried to do it on our own, if we repent and say, God, I'm going to obey you now, and from this moment forward, obey you, the blessing will still come and the promise will still come. You might still be dealing with a consequence. But it's not too late to get right with God and begin to obey him today. [00:09:21] (36 seconds) #RepentAndObeyToday

Many times we want to half obey. We want to obey the parts that are easy, right? Like sit me down right now and put a plate of white rice, black beans and a good steak, not much obedience required to eat it. Give me a plate of broccoli, I'm gonna have to really obey. [00:20:15] (21 seconds) #WholeheartedObedience

You might be facing a circumstance that somebody else is facing it but the way God tells you to act might be different than what God tells them to act. You not need, we not be concerned with how the other person is dealing with their Jericho, we need to be concerned with what God told us to do and are we choosing to do it. [00:22:34] (26 seconds) #FocusOnYourCalling

``God didn't spare them from the fire, he was with them in the fire and protected them in the fire. The lions with Daniel, it wasn't that they weren't hungry because when they pulled Daniel out and they threw the other people in it says that before they hit the ground the lions had devoured them. He didn't spare him from it. [00:24:57] (27 seconds) #ProtectedInTheFire

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