Abraham who?
We stand in awe at the mighty faith of Abraham. After all, the Apostle Paul called him “the Father of the faith.” I’m still inspired by his faith and perseverance of course, but I now understand his secret. Several times, scripture says, “God spoke to Abraham.” No wonder he had such great faith.
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Rom.10:17 (KJV). I once thought that meant faith comes by Bible reading. But Father Abraham didn’t read the Bible, he didn’t even have the Bible. What he had was the experience of hearing God. His faith surpasses that of modern Bible scholars because faith doesn’t come by studying either, it comes by hearing. You can study God’s word, extensively, and still not hear God.
Pharisees read, studied, memorized, debated, discussed, quoted and revered God’s word. They never heard it.
No amount of reading, studying, miracles, praying, fasting, repenting, confessing, discussing, learning, obeying, or any other activity brings faith. It was the singular act of hearing God’s voice that resulted in Abraham’s faith and distinguished him from being just another wimp of unbelief like the rest of us. He demonstrated the most basic of all connections with God, he heard Him speak to him. Believing God occurs from simply hearing The Creator.
Faith doesn’t even come by listening, which is the illusion of church services and broadcast ministries. Multitudes listened to Jesus and then crucified him. He said, “he that has ears to hear, let him hear.” This He said to people in His presence who were at that moment listening to His words and witnessing signs, wonders and creative miracles with their physical senses.
Ink on paper is transformed into God’s word only by God’s voice. The same goes for the preaching that we listen to. “But the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it,” Heb.4. (KJV). You can hear preaching without hearing God. He says, “Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart.” It doesn’t matter how loud the preacher is, no voice, no faith. But whenever you hear the voice of God, faith is automatic, regardless of who’s preaching.