FAITH COMES BY HEARING

O Lord [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people], I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps. [Psalms 37:23; Proverbs 20:24.] — Jeremiah 10:23 Amplified

I have good news for all that are in the middle of the storm of their lives: God in his wisdom and mercy has directed your steps. As the Omnipotent, Omnipresent sovereign Lord, He has gone before you, has never left you, and is coming to you! Make no mistake about it: Jesus always comes to the rescue of those who call upon his name. There is no power in hell that can stop him from walking on the sea of impossibility to get to you.

The issue is this: Will you recognize him when he comes?

“And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida (It was his direction)…And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened” (Mark 6:45-52).

There is a tremendously important principle being taught here: Faith doesn’t come by seeing; faith comes by hearing. We have thought that seeing a miracle would produces faith. But the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea and it did not produce faith in them.

What’s more, they were “sitting” on a miracle and their heart was hardened instead of believing. Jesus had just multiplied the five loaves and had commanded the disciples to put what was left into twelve baskets. These baskets were in the boat as they struggled to recognize the Lord! Faith comes by hearing the voice of Jesus, not by a bunch of soggy bread!

To teach otherwise is to place you and all who hear you at risk of deception. One of the foundational errors along this line is this: “Young people have to experience something first; then you can teach them doctrine.” This miscalculation is fundamental: It places faith into the realm of what you can see with your five senses—your “natural” eye. The devil can counterfeit a miracle and fool everybody that is basing faith on a sign and wonder — especially young people.

We must learn to lean on his voice: “And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” They knew him not by seeing, but by hearing! If we can discern his voice in the storm everything will be all right. If we can receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of his word we can reach out and touch the hem of his garment—God grant it unto your servants!

The storm of all storms is fixing to hit: It is time to seek the Lord through the Holy Writ. Isn’t that the last message he left us?

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:13).