Our faith in God is linked to our physical sense of hearing. We must hear the word of God to gain and increase in faith. Hearing is described as an auditory perception, which supports the ability to perceive sounds and to detect vibrations. en.m.wikipedia.org

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalms 119:130). In this verse, David is saying that the teaching and impartation of the word of God, brings understanding to even those who are simple or slow to understand. I have learnt a principle called ‘total immersion’ or ‘complete saturation’ in the word to increase in faith.

The word of God is prescriptive and has answers to all of life’s problems. If it is healing that you need, then totally immerse your senses in what the bible says about healing. Some ministers have been kind enough to post on the internet, audio recordings of scriptures about healing. The word of God is readily available at our fingertips and it is up to us to tap into the word to get what we need. This is definitely more beneficial than binge watching crime dramas or reality TV.

What I mentioned above is only one example, of how we can saturate our ears with the word to increase our faith in a particular area. Once our faith is increased, then it is easier to grasp what God has promised. Think about your number one need and seek out biblical resources, that teach kingdom principles to increase your faith in that area. You can find teachings on financial freedom, marriage, success, overcoming challenges and strategies to win life’s battles.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).

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“For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution” (Hebrews 2:2).

Some versions states that every transgression will receive a just recompense. This is why God warns us not to take vengeance and to forgive when others wrong us. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord”” (Romans 12:19).

In some instances, recompense relates to being given compensation or money as a reward because you have suffered or been wronged by someone. So on the one hand God is saying don’t render evil for evil and do not try to pay back people who have caused you harm. This is because when God decides to pay them back even you will feel sorry for them. On the other hand God is also saying that when we forgive and let go of hurts done to us by others then he will give us a reward.

I believe that this is our year of recompense for areas where we have suffered harm. “We have sown in many tears but praise God that those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:5)!

We have to maintain hope, trust and confidence in God that he saw our suffering and afflictions and that this was not in vain. His word cannot go back to him void and we believe that God will restore that which was stolen and lost. We surrender our worries and cares to him and lift our eyes to him with expectancy. Our God rewards those of us who continue to seek him earnestly.

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Jesus shared a parable with his disciples regarding a persistent widow. This widow had been treated unfairly by someone. She persistently went to the Judge and insisted that he give her justice against her enemy. The Judge initially refuses to listen to the woman and admitted that he did not fear God or man. “yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming” (Luke 18:5).

Jesus drew a parallel to what the unjust judge said and to our father who is the Righteous Judge. In essence, if even an unjust judge would heed an old woman’s persistence, and give her justice from her enemies, how much more will our own father who is the righteous judge give us justice? “I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth” (Luke 18:8)?

Jesus shared this story to assure us that God is not slow to answer when we pray. Although the answers to our prayers may at times seem delayed, God will answer. This is why God tells us to not avenge ourselves, but to leave vengeance to him. “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly” (Deuteronomy 32:35).

Our justice systems are at times corrupt and in many organisations, systems that are set up to ensure that people are treated fairly, don’t always work. Let us take our complaint to a higher court of heaven and watch God vindicate. God’s words will not return to him void and he will do what he has promised. “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬).

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We know that there is no condemnation to us who are in Christ Jesus. Why do we often feel condemned and judged and worry about approaching Christ for forgiveness? We can also extend our inward condemnation to others, due to the guilt that we experience, because of our failures.

The bible exhorts us to pray constantly for each other as believers (Ephesians 6:18). As we pray, we resist the desire to condemn and criticise. Oftentimes we use the excuse of being honest and having the need to vent. Our reminder should be about the power in our words and the life and death that exists in our tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

Since we are convinced of the life giving power within our mouths, let us use our words to speak life, and call those things which be not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). This principle is not living in denial and ignoring that challenges exists. Sometimes we do have to speak the truth in love in order to correct and edify. But we must always bear in mind, the motivation behind our words and use our words to speak life.

A parent with a wayward child can complain about their child’s behaviour, or confess the promises of God over them. Wives and husbands should look for the good in their spouses and speak what God promises concerning them. If we truly recognise how much power is stored in our words, we would not use them loosely. We pray about each other’s weaknesses and trust God to complete the work in us and in others.

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Paul faced much persecution, when he went about preaching the gospel and establishing the church. Paul’s hope was for a future reward in heaven, where the glory of God would be revealed in him. There are also rewards here on earth, for those who do the right thing and we see examples of this throughout the bible.

Joseph had a dream; told his family and was coveted and sold into slavery and then ended up in prison. Fast forward a few years and Joseph is appointed Governor of Egypt (Genesis 37; 39; 41).

Daniel trusted God and refused to stop praying three times a day, when the officials had the King sign a decree to cause trouble for him. This was because the King favoured Daniel and had plans to set him over the entire Kingdom. Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den because he continued to pray, but God preserved him so the lions could not eat him. The men who conspired against Daniel were themselves fed to the lions. After this, not only did the King establish Daniel, but he wrote a decree to make it known, that the God of Daniel is the true and living God who had delivered him (Daniel 6).

Haman set a trap to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews, because Mordecai would not bow to him. Haman’s plot backfired and he was hung on the same gallows, which he built for Mordecai. Mordecai was set over the house of Haman and the King gave him the title, which he had taken away from Haman (Esther 7; 8).

All of these bible stories and many more, serve to show us that trials often come before triumph and major difficulties before a breakthrough. The test will produce major testimonies and this challenge will lead to your promotion. We are in a season of victory and your best days are ahead. Stay in faith and continue to speak what the word of God says. God is turning difficult situations into moments of great destiny and purpose.

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I once watched an animated movie called Kung fu Panda with a Panda who was a skilled martial artist. When Panda was a baby, his parents were killed by a peacock who’s desire was to take over China. The Peacock was told that he would one day be defeated by a Panda. Panda’s struggle was to find inner peace in order to fulfill his destiny and defeat the Peacock. In the end Panda learnt how to control his anger and found inner peace. Once Panda found inner peace, no weapon thrown at him by the enemy could take him out. Panda found peace and fulfilled the prophecy of defeating the Peacock.

Like Panda, we need the peace of God to block the attacks from the enemy and to fulfill our purpose. Jesus promised his disciples that we would have peace, not in and of this world, but a peace which comes from God. He encouraged us not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).
The nightly news can cause us so much fear. There is so much happening around us to rob us of our inner peace and joy. We have to limit how much of the bad news we take in and remain in tuned with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus taught his disciples of troubled times to come in this world and his teachings are to help us find peace in him. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John‬ ‭16:33‬).

We will not find peace in our bank account, in the government or scientists, in our jobs or earthly possessions because material things can be taken away. But the peace which God gives cannot be taken away by the challenges around us. Peace be unto you.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”
‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬).

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Malachi spoke of a book of remembrance, which was written before God, of those who feared him and honoured his name. What was written in the book were the conversations of those who feared God. He listens in on our discussions and he harkens (listens and gives respect) to what we say. This is why Paul encouraged us to let our speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:6).

We are the salt of the earth as we are the light of the world. Our conversations should reflect the salt and light that we represent and the grace of God in us. Paul warned us to have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels (2 Timothy 2:23). Titus also cautioned us to avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless (Titus 3:9).

We have nothing to gain from strife and quarrelling and it is a waste of energy to engage in arguments, for the sake of being controversial. Let us use our time wisely and be selective of the conversations we engage in. What can God write in his book of remembrance when he listens to us speak? Are we seeking to build each other up and to edify and encourage each other in the word? Who are you speaking to and what is the nature of your conversations?

I know that God listens and I want him to harken and record my conversations. We need to bear in mind, the next time we speak that God is listening and keeping a record. God is interested in what we have to say and the Holy Spirit is present to speak through us. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm‬ ‭19:14‬).

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The King of Syria decided to wage war against the people of God in Israel. Every time the Syrian King made a plan to set an ambush against Israel, Elisha the Prophet would warn Israel, so that they evaded the ambush. The Syrian King was frustrated because he thought, that certainly someone in his camp was a spy and passing on information to Israel. How else would they know about the plans that he made against them and managed to avoid his attacks? A servant told the King that there wasn’t actually a spy, but a prophet in Isreal who heard even the conversations that he had in his chamber.

There are angels that surround us and the Holy Spirit that lives in us, translates heavenly intelligence concerning the activities of the kingdom of darkness. Every time the enemy tries to launch an attack against us, God will send us a warning to avoid being caught in Satan’s snare. The King in his anger sent an army to surround Elisha and take him captive. What he didn’t know or realise was that Elisha had an army of angels at his disposal. “Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings‬ ‭6:17‬).

We see similar occurrences around the time of Jesus’s birth, when Herod had plans to assassinate him. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to take Jesus and his mother and escape to Egypt, because Herod was coming in search of him (Matthew 2:13). It was also an angel who told Joseph that it was ok to marry Mary: this was because he had to plans to put her away privately, because she became pregnant before they were married (Matthew 1.20-23).

It is important for us to live at a place, where we can hear from God through the Holy Spirit. There are also ministering spirits (angels) who will transit messages to us for our protection and direction. We have access to supernatural insight, wisdom and divine revelation concerning happenings on earth. It is in remaining in close relationship with God that we will have access to such intelligence. “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians‬ ‭1:18‬).

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Jesus walked the path of suffering and shame, in order to understand the places where we hurt. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are; yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:5).

God wants us to know that he understands how we feel and he cares about our emotional wellbeing. He is a God of comfort and compassion and wants to heal every broken emotion. God wants to heal our hurt and pain. Sometimes we try to mask our pain with our own solutions, that at times create more problems. By the stripes of Jesus we can claim healing for every emotional wound. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm‬ ‭34:18‬).

Jesus was described in (Isaiah 53:3) as being despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. There is nothing that you will go through that Jesus cannot relate to. His time on earth was depicted by suffering and pain and he wants to comfort you.

There is hope friends and God will walk with us and carry us through every place where we hurt. He died for our healing and he wants to make us whole again. Stay in his presence and know that Jesus is able to heal you where it hurts. “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬).

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