Faith and the Word of God

By Isabelle Reardon

“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”—Romans 10:17 (NIV)

The good news of salvation, the answer to all our questions, along with numerous life-giving, life-changing realities, are all laid out for us in the living Word of God. What an amazing reality it is to know that the God of the universe who spoke creation into existence, who commanded the sea to be parted and the sea obeyed, who holds all things together in His hands, and who worked salvation for all of us through His Son Jesus, is the same God whose words we hold in our very hands today. 

And this is just the beginning of the great news about the truth of God’s Word. Not only do we have access to it and are able to find hope, answers, and peace through it, but there’s so much more. Today’s verse reminds us that we serve a loving God! He doesn’t tell us we must try harder, be better, or work our way into a relationship with Him. Instead, He simply tells us to hear His message and by hearing we gain faith—and through faith, we’re saved (Ephesians 2:8–9).  

Friends, let’s remember the power of the message we get to hold in our very hands. Whether God’s Word is preached from a pulpit, spoken on a podcast, or read from the Bible, it has the power to save!

As I consider this truth, I begin to sheepishly think about how little I share His message with others when I know it has the power to bring them to faith! Above my fears, my desire is for the truth to ring so loudly in my head and in my heart that I can’t help but share it with others. 

In Romans 10:14 (NIV) Paul writes “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Let us not keep this message we’re privileged to know, that many of us have been transformed by, to ourselves. Instead, let’s be the means in which our friends, family, and strangers are able to hear this message—a message that has the power to stir up faith and to save!

Pause: Take a moment to reflect on your story, and what it was like when you first heard God’s message. Reflect back to the moments in time when His message first stirred up faith in you.

Practice: Who do you know in your circle of influence that needs to hear God’s message? Write down who the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Pray for them and ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to do next.

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Thank You that You’ve made it truly so simple for me to know You and come to faith in You. I want to be a bearer of Your message. Use me to share in ways I would’ve never thought imaginable. Amen.