 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom
10:17, NKJ). Paul, in his letter to the Romans gives us insight on how to
obtain faith. In saying, "faith comes from hearing," he reveals a key element
to gaining faith. It doesn't come from presuming upon God. Instead it
comes from listening to God.
Paul called himself the Hebrew of Hebrews. He studied under Gamaliel,
one of the great Jewish scholars of his day. Paul's native tongue was
Hebrew, so when he used the Greek word ἀκοnς (akoes) which is translated here as hearing, it contained the connotation of the Hebrew word shema. Like akoes, we translate shema as hearing, but factually
shema includes something more than hearing. It also contains the idea of
obeying. It is putting your hearing into action. So faith comes from hearing
the word of God. If we will truly believe that word, it will put our faith into
action and will produce good results. Maybe the meaning of Romans 10:17
would be better understood if we said "faith comes from hearing and
obeying the word of God." God will truly act according to His word. It
becomes imperative if one desires to increase in faith for him to learn to
properly discern his Father's word.
But how do we know what God is saying? The only way we can gain the
ability to know His voice is to nourish our relationship with Him. It is a close
relationship that enables us to hear His voice and recognize it. Practice in
listening, rather than repeatedly telling Him what we desire, will produce a
greater efficacy of seeing God work. Prayer is the answer to bolstering our
relationship, but it only will increase our relationship if we learn to listen
while praying.
If one continually petitions for what he believes is good for him, he may
miss the true works of God. But, if he spends time in prayer to discover the
exact path that God has for his life, he will see the mystery of his life unfold
before his eyes and he will be able to walk out his destiny in faith, knowing
the author of all things has a purpose for his life.
For this National Day of Prayer, I encourage each of you to listen to that still small voice guiding you into all truth. Discover the intimate details that God desires to share with you about your life and what you have been created to accomplish. Grasp hold of your destiny, and walk that special life that
was given you by the creator of the universe. I am reminded of the
inaugural address of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in which he said, "Ask not
what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your
country." In like manner I would like to suggest that you pray not for what
God can do for you to make this country into what you desire, but pray for
what God would have you do differently that could beneficially change this
country into what He desires. As we pray for our country, find out the action
that God specifically has for you to do and obey His voice. A country putting
His instructions into action will heal on its own. Go forth, but go with God.
Frank Houtz
Dry Bones Restoration Company
Winchester, Kentucky
Copyright © April 2012
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