“Faith comes by hearing . . the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV
Faith is a spiritual seed that holds a miraculous potential.
My thoughts and comments today are about “a growing faith.”
As oxygen is a basic, physical necessity for your everyday life, faith is absolutely essential for spiritual life. In fact, the Bible explains that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6 KJV. The good news is that we all have faith; you have faith because “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 NKJV. The question becomes this: what are you doing with the faith you have been given?
Faith us not a static quantity, this much and no more. Faith is a spiritual seed that holds a miraculous potential for life and growth. Jesus spoke of individuals who had “little faith,” and of others who had “strong faith,” and ”sincere faith,” and even “great faith.” Your measure of faith grows when it is invested in matters serving the Kingdom of God.
I was recently asked about learning to hear the voice of God. I think sometimes a person is looking for some mystical experience, and I certainly believe there are such moments when God speaks sovereignly to listening hearts. But how do you train your heart to listen?
I have observed that the more familiar you become with a specific voice, the more readily you learn to recognize and respond to that particular voice even in a mixture of noises and voices. Children learn to identify a parent’s voice quickly, just as a mother can hear the cry of her child above the playground noise of other children. I think the same is true with hearing God’s voice. Familiarity is central to knowing God when He speaks. And spiritual discipline and practice are required.
First of all, busy and noisy lives are not conducive to spiritual clarity. God is not silent; people are easily distracted. The issue is not so much about God speaking, as it is about your hearing. God can and will speak to you in your daily chaos; the question is whether or not you can hear in such surroundings. You do not summon God to fit your schedule and convenience; you make your heart available to His presence if you are serious about hearing His voice and doing His will.
Instead of listening for God to speak singularly to you, could I encourage you to take advantage of reading your Bible to know what God has already spoken? Paul explained, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing [comes] by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV. Now, I recognize that the context of this verse is describing the place of God’s Word introducing a person into initial faith in Christ for salvation; then would it not be consistent that the same Word of God, essential for one’s spiritual birth, would also be necessary for spiritual growth and maturing?
Peter confirmed this relationship between faith and familiarity with God’s Word. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV. My summation of thought is this: the more time you spend with God’s Word, the more clearly you will hear God’s voice in your listening heart, and the more vibrant faith you will experience and express. See 2 Peter 3:18/Ephesians 4:11-15 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that you learn God’s Word so you will know and hear God’s voice.