Hosanna Restoration Church

I was running down the road listening to a teaching on desiring the gifts or the manifestations of the Holy Spirit when I heard the Lord say “Hearing and hearing.” I immediately recognized this as coming from the scripture referenced for this devotion but was not exactly sure where the Lord was leading me in this. Of course when you think about it, it is obvious that it is necessary for a person to hear God and know His voice in order to see the gifts manifested.

Truly faith comes as a result of our hearing the truth and receiving it. Once we come to faith, growth comes as we hear the word of God. When I say hear the word of God, I am not just referring to hearing people preach the word or hearing the bible on tape, or another format. In fact many people have heard and heard and heard, and still not heard God. The Word of God is God speaking in our hearts and our ears. I don’t recollect ever hearing His voice like thunder, but I have heard the still small voice of God on many occasions. Truly, one word from God can change your life!

Most people do not expect to hear God. I never did expect it. However there were things that I began to know that I had no way of knowing. I understood things that I had no way of understanding. I was directed as clearly as could be, but it never occurred to me that it was God speaking. I was a bit like Samuel who kept checking with Eli when he heard the voice of God. I was very hesitant to say that God said anything. Ultimately, I either had to give Him credit for what He said or deny that He still speaks.

Once we acknowledge Him and the fact that He is speaking, it seems that He speaks more. Of course this is not the case. What really happens is that once we realize He is speaking we begin hearing more because we listen more. Think about it. How much time do you spend or how interested are you in speaking to someone who you do not expect to speak back to you.

Faith starts with hearing and grows with hearing the Word of God. We can hear God! We should be hearing God! We should desire to hear God! He does after all grant us the desires of our heart. What could be more valuable than hearing God? What could be more productive than hearing God? What could bring more of the fullness of God than hearing God? The answer is of course nothing!

What will happen when we begin to hear God and manifest His gifts or when His gifts and power begin to manifest as a result our growing faith? The kingdom of God will be advanced. If we do not hear and believe God, we will not speak in tongues, share a word of prophecy, speak healing, or command darkness to flee with any authority. But if we hear God and believe God, we will. Hearing requires listening. Listening requires desire. Desire requires that we recognize something that is valuable and worth having. God’s voice is worth having!