The Faith Journal: Romans 10:17
I'm starting this new project called the Faith Journal. I want to dissect a verse about faith and really study what it's saying and what it means and how to believe it. Worshiping to awesome Hillsong United songs, joining Bible Study, and doing daily devotionals is great and wonderful but I feel like there's something more. I want to have a greater faith in the Lord and I think that begins by getting back to the basics: reading and studying His word.
Today I want to look at Romans 10:17 in different translations and then delve into what God is trying to tell us in this passage. Links in the chapter for you to find more resources
So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
So, faith comes from listening, but it's listening by means of Christ's message.
So trust comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through a word proclaimed about the Messiah.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
I've struggled with this concept of "hearing" God. I don't hear an audible voice, so how can I 'hear' God? When you're going through a tough situation and you silently say a little prayer, does a voice come over the radio and instruct you which path to take? Maybe it does. I know for me personally, that lightning-bolt-in-your-face moment doesn't happen. Does that mean God is silent and I'm forgotten?
Romans 10:17 reminds me that I can't expect to be spoken to if I'm not listening to the right station. How can I expect to hear my favorite country song when I'm listening to the smooth jazz station? I've got to be in the Word. The Word is God's amplifier to us. He speaks through the words in the Bible. When you're sitting at your ropes end and not sure what to do, it's that small voice in your head that gives you peace or direction. Those songs on the radio that hit you like a bullet even when you've heard it 1,000 times. Those moments are God speaking to you and giving you a sense that He is there, He cares, and He is listening. We've just got to be open to receive it. Just like you can't expect to do well in school without studying, we've got to take time to study what God says to reap the benefits.
So faith comes from hearing, so lets read and hear what God has to say today.