Trust & Obey (Trials and Temptations)

By Pastor John Mateos Ong

Messages can tickle our ears and entertain us. But it can still be useless. Do you know the relationship between trusting and obeying? Saying “I trust you” is cheap. Obedience is harder. You cannot say you trust God and not obey Him. Back it up ith action.

Shema is a 3 letter Hebrew word meaning “hear, listen, take heed, harken, comprehend nd obey.” In Hebrew, hear and obey is just one word which is “shema.” You cannot separate them. In their culture, when you hear, you automatically obey.

Some example in the Bible are:

Exodus 2:24 says, “God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.” Heard is translated to “shema.” When God heard, He did something.

Psalm 34:17 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” If you are righteous and you cry out to God, He hears you and He will act on it.

Exodus 19:5 says, “If you will hear my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treaseured possesion.” If you only hear and do not obey, you cannot claim the promise of being God’s treasured possession. Because in the Hebrew language, obedience is important.

1 Samuel 15:22 says, “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” If you are not doing what God tells you to do, then your sacrifices are in vain. He is more after your heart that is obedient, that will trust and obey Him.

1 Peter 12-19 says, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.”

It is impossible for anyone to live a life totally without problems. Sometimes, our problems are temptations and somme are tests. Trials come from outside. Temptations come from inside. Everybody experiences these. And God allows these for different reasons. Why do we go through tests? Christians question God all the time.

1. To identify us (v. 16) Christians are not exempted from trials and temptations. What identifies you is the way you respond to them. Persecution is a trademark of believers. If you have not experienced it, maybe you’re not a real one. Christians are made to persevere anyway. It is meant to set you apart.

2. To be blessed (v. 14-15) If life is too comfortable, you will be weak. It takes a strong wave to make a sailor. Many Christians do not like trials. But trials are needed in order to make you strong. There are 2 kinds of tests: bein ginsulted for the nname of Christ and sufferinng fr the thigs you’ve done. I the second scenarioo, you are just getting what you deserve. It is not practice that makes perfect; it’s mistakes that make syou improve.

3. To glorify God (v. 13) Our ultimate purpose here on earth is to glorify God. Everything we do needs to give glory to Him. The bigger the problem that is given to us, the bigger the glory we can offer to Him

The way we can give glory to God is not ooly through words but mostly through our life. Becasue of all the trials, tests and persecutions, people wonder why we are still happy inspite and despite of. We are meant to glorify God by what we do.

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Light shines best not when it’s bright but when it is dark. The light will never complain of the dark. It know darkness is the very purpose why it exists. We are made to glorify God. That’s why it says you are the light of the world, sent out into this world that is dark. Do nt complaiin when there are trials and temptations becase that is how you shine.

We need to learn how to trust and obey, regardless of your circumstance. Obedience is a proof of trust. You can’t say “I trust God but not obey Him.” Obey God so you can be identified, blessed and glorify God.

God wants to partner with each and every one of you. He wants to do big things through you. But He can only do that if you trust Him. Stay the path. Proverbs 4:27 says, “Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Stay the course.