“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
(Romans 10:17)
Faith is a gift of God, a product of His Word and His Spirit working together in our hearts. This divine process occurs when the Spirit of God plants the truths of God in hearts that are receptive to hear. And once planted, that seed of faith continues to grow as the consistent watering of the Word and light of God’s truth are allowed to accomplish their work of continued transformation in our hearts and lives.
Even small measures of faith—seedlings of belief—deserve nurturing, for they evidence God’s grace at work. In addition, a heart of gratitude for any faith, however modest, honors God, the giver, and opens the door to increase that gift as seen in the plea of Mark 9:24: “Lord, I believe … help my unbelief.”
For this reason, God’s Word must be approached with an openness of mind and a responsive heart. Samuel’s posture in 1 Samuel 3:9—“Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth”—is our model for listening and responding. When we encounter Scripture or Gospel preaching we should expectantly listen for God to speak to us personally. And we must ask for grace to obey as well as to hear. As the devotional notes, “When we approach the reading of the Scripture or the preaching of the Gospel, we should expect God to speak directly to our hearts while asking for grace to be not only hearers but doers of the Word.”[1]
Moreover, a living faith requires constant renewal and exercise. Like muscles strengthened through use, faith atrophies without action. Relying on faith only in times of crisis weakens its effectiveness. But if we exercise it daily to purify our heart, help us overcome obstacles and navigate the complexities of our daily life, our faith will grow stronger and more viable.
And as a result, how we respond to temptation and adversity as well as how we interact and relate to others will be more God-honoring. In other words, our faith will bear visible fruit and thereby strengthen fellow believers and ultimately glorify Christ. And in time, such faith, tested and proven (1 Peter 1:7) will become a resounding testimony of God’s power at work in our life.
Contemplations:
- Listening with expectation. Romans 10:17 shows that hearing the Word demands more than presence; it requires an open heart expecting God to speak. I often read Scripture or hear sermons while allowing my mind to wander. I must approach these times more intentionally, listening eagerly like Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9).
- Cherishing the beginnings of faith. Even small faith is God’s gift, seeds He plants in my heart. I must thank Him for every measure of belief, every stirring of faith, asking Him to nurture its growth. I trust His continued work to deepen and strengthen what He began.
- Exercising faith daily. I treat faith as something to put in play in times of crisis instead of daily practice. Yet it must be active constantly—guiding my decisions, building my trust in God’s providence even in small matters, and relying on His strength each day. Like a muscle, my faith grows through use. I therefore want to live it out in every aspect of my day-to-day life so that it will bear fruit to the glory of the Father.
- Praying for greater faith. Mark 9:24 demonstrates an honest admission of unbelief. The father’s cry—“Lord, help my unbelief”—shows faith enough to ask for more. I often hide doubts instead of bringing them to God, but I must learn to pray openly, trusting faith as His gift. I ask Him to strengthen mine through hearing and obeying His Word.
Prayer (Supplication):
O God, Your Word is the seed of faith, as Romans 10:17 declares. I adore Your sovereign grace and that You grant us faith through hearing and responding to Your Word. You speak life into dead hearts and nurture seedlings of faith into maturity. In conjunction with Your Spirit, Your Word produces fruits of faith that glorify Christ. For this divine gift, I stand in reverence and offer thanksgiving.
I must also confess my neglect. I often approach Your Word casually, my ears dull and my heart closed. I allow distractions to silence Your voice. I cherish little faith ungratefully, and ask for more without being thankful for what You’ve already given. Forgive my sluggish hearing and my inactive faith. Cleanse me from all that hinders growth.
I thank You for even “little faith” that evidences Your work. You honored Samuel’s readiness—“Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9), and I know that Your Word bears fruit when it is eagerly received. I am grateful for preachers, teachers, and Scriptures that convey truth, and I offer praise for grace to hear and obey.
Now I plead, merciful Father. Increase my faith. Open my ears to hear Your Word afresh, as Romans 10:17 promises. Remove distractions; tune my heart to expect Your voice. Grant eagerness like Samuel’s readiness to respond. Strengthen my weak faith through daily hearing of Scripture, preaching, and meditation.
And help me exercise my faith in every moment. Let it guide my choices, conquer my temptations, and strengthen me to endure my trials. And when unbelief rises, remind me of Mark 9:24, that I may ask You to help my unbelief.
Prepare my faith for testing, as 1 Peter 1:7 directs, that it may be proven genuine at Christ’s appearing for I depend on Your power to nurture, strengthen, and mature what You began. And may You hasten the day when faith becomes sight in Your presence.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Romans 10:17:
Gal. 3:2, Col. 3:16, Jer. 23:28, Luke 8:11, 2 Cor. 2:17.
[1] Jeremiah Shepard, A Sort of Believers Never Saved. Or, The Danger of Miscarrying in Point of Salvation, by a False Ineffectual Faith, (Boston: B. Green: sold by Eleazer Phillips at his shop under the town-house in Kings Street, 1711), 70.
