As believers we often go through short dry spells in our Christian life, and it is at times like these that we seek to hear something specific and different from God. I too went through a similar phase recently and want to share the valuable lesson God taught me. What I am about to write may not come as a new revelation to many, but I am hoping it may be an eye-opener for some of you.
One blessed evening, I sat through a wonderful church service and a powerful moving sermon, but felt quite empty at the end of it. I told God, “I already know all this, I need something new and different.” Then came the self- pity phase, where I questioned myself and asked ‘what is wrong with me?’ I tried to shake myself out of it, but I did not know how to fix something that did not feel broken! As I went to the Lord in prayer, the Holy Spirit led me to this verse – Hebrews 4:2
“For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.”
The more I read the verse, the more I started to understand what God was trying to tell me. As believers, we tend to get saturated and familiar with verses from the Scriptures through sermons. Promise verses like “I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.”
At some point we tend to have an ‘I’ve heard that before’ or a ‘been there, know that’ attitude. These blessed verses become nothing but theoretical to us, and its practical depth is lost in translation into our lives. When this happens, we need to be aware that we are standing in dangerous territory and easily susceptible to attach from the enemy. My son is now learning how to feed himself. When asked if he knows how to eat, he clearly explains on how to, but as a mother I will not be convinced until I see him do it practically. Theory is good, but practically using the information is vital for being fruitful.
In Hebrews 4:2 , we understand that, it is the lack of faith in the word of God that makes us unfruitful. I like how some translations say that we need to ‘mix’ faith with what we hear. If we realize the value and the power of the Word of God and how it affects our lives, then we will see the change. But if we, as hearers of the Word, lack faith, then those words remain as mere words!
This is how I understand it… a perfect recipe for fruitfulness – Hear the Word, stir in the faith as required, add a pinch of obedience and top it with application by faith. Let us strive to move ahead in this year with faith and be more fruitful in our spiritual lives!
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
– John H. Sammis