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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hear (07/08/10)
Hearing is Believing
Seeing is believing; we’ve all heard the catch phrase. We can believe in anything we see. We can accept as truth that which we see, and that which we choose. For the visual learners of the world, comprehension comes more naturally through video perceptions rather than audio. Believing based on what we see can be easier to accept as truth, regardless of the subject’s integrity. Our choice to believe is based merely on what our eyes tell us.
We may gain understanding, information and knowledge by the use of such visual faith, but, true faith isn’t produced merely by such seeing. While one of Webster’s traditional definitions of faith is “a belief not based on proof or evidence”, Hebrews from the Bible states that our faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV 11:1) Our very faith becomes the evidence. This faith is produced by hearing, not seeing, and hearing by the Word of God. When the Word of God, the Bible, is heard with the ears, it passes through the brain, and settles into the heart of man, and faith is developed. A few of the manifestations, or fruit, of such growth are changed lives, peace amid troubled times, a new-found confidence, and, most importantly, an intimate relationship with God.
Many folks today, some Christians included, are persuaded that such relationship cannot include hearing God’s voice; and if people claim to be hearing a Voice, what they may actually be in need of is a mental tune-up. If these same people lived in the jungle of Nool, they would be known as sour kangaroos. Horton, from Horton Hears a Who, is an elephant citizen of Nool, and the only one who hears the Whos cries for help. The Whos, from Whoville, live on their planet - the size of a speck of dust. Horton uses a clover that this speck has alighted upon to bring their seemingly invisible community to safety. Along his journey, Horton is met with Sour Kangaroo’s opposition, as she claims he is dangerous to the children for making them believe in what they cannot hear. But Sally, one of Whoville’s citizens, believes in Horton for she could hear his voice. Through the Whoville megaphone, she boldly declares to Horton, “I believe in you”, to which Horton assures her, “And it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”
If we could all tune in to the still, small voice, we would all hear God assure the same to us: “It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.” God so wants to take care of His children, He so wants His children to hear His voice so we can partake of His rest. If it were not possible, Jesus would never have stated in the Gospel of John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (NAS) Of course, hearing and recognizing are two different occurrences. One can hear another’s voice without actually recognizing, identifying it or knowing the source. It stands to reason, then, that if the Bible is comparable to the Word of God, then the more familiar we become with the Bible, the better our hearing of His voice will become.
We all hear voices of one kind or another. We may hear the condemning voice of the accuser; we hear the voice of conscience which may shame or direct us; we hear the voice of reasoning and common sense; and as Christians, we hopefully do hear the voice of God. Hearing God’s voice doesn’t need be a far-fetched, spooky phenomenon; but rather a natural evolvement of relationship with a loving, heavenly Father; a Father who wants nothing more than to care for His children traveling on our speck of dust we call Earth.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
AnneRene' Capp
07/15/10
Definitely a worthy devotional! Great message.

Remember to double space between paragraphs for easier reading. :)
Ruth Brown
07/18/10
This is a really good devotional. I agree with AnnRene' space it more and it will be awesome. God Bless you,Ruth
Marie Fink
07/18/10
Your analogy from "Horton..." to how God wants to believe in us is creative. My favorite truth you wrote about is: "the more familiar we become with the Bible, the better our hearing of His voice will become."
Angela M. Baker-Bridge
07/20/10
Totally agree with the others...keep writing and entering the Challenge!
Philip Barrington
07/20/10
Yes, I agree with other comments. Double spacing in paragraphs is much easier to read. I very rarely will read something that is not double paragraphed.