Page 30 - The Divine Quest

The Divine Quest Page 27

Faith Comes by Hearing

Perhaps the single greatest source of comfort that I have had as God’s Spirit has
directed our family to an ever expanding walk of faith, has been found in dwelling
upon the things God has spoken to us. The Spirit has directed us down paths that
bring fear to the natural man, and this fear has to be dealt with and overcome. By
meditating upon the words Yahweh has spoken to me I have time after time been
brought to a place of peace, and I have felt the nagging fear and anxiety that was
coming against me dissipate. Sometimes it has dissipated just enough to allow me
the courage to continue on the path of obedience, with fear and trembling. At other
times as I have meditated upon the things God has spoken to me, all fear and anxiety
has fled away, giving way to a peace that surpasses understanding.

I am confident that complete peace is the portion and inheritance of the overcomer
in Christ. Yet it is a place to be attained by warfare and perseverance. It is something
that we must grow in, and as we arise to meet the challenges before us, entrusting
ourselves into the hands of a loving God who cares for us, we will find ourselves
gaining a greater confidence and a more sure peace.

Spiritual hearing is a key factor in the process of our growth in faith. On the one
hand, we must hear the voice of the Spirit speak to us to lead us into the walk of faith
that He has chosen for us. We are not to be presumptuous and choose a path of faith
for ourselves, foolishly putting God to the test. God is not obligated to come through
for us in our need if He has not led us to the test of faith before us. We must know
that God’s Spirit has directed us to the particular course of obedience we are
pursuing. If we have no assurance of having heard God’s voice in some matter of
obedience, then we have nothing to stand upon.

The Spirit first revealed this to me many years ago as I contemplated the life of
Abraham. Abraham is called “the father of faith,” and his life is recorded for our
instruction. Abraham was only able to walk in faith as he heard from God. Consider
a few events of his life.

God called Abraham to leave his father’s household and to journey to a land he did
not know. He was called out of Ur of the Chaldees, and out of Haran, to go forth into
the land Yahweh promised to him and his descendants. Abraham heard the voice of
God calling him to journey forth, and this voice of instruction provided the impetus
necessary to respond with faith and obedience. The Scriptures are clear that Yahweh
called Abraham, and gave him instruction in this matter.