We are living in a time of the greatest gospel revelation in history. There are more preachers, books and gospel-media than ever. Yet there has also never been more distress, affliction and troubled minds among God’s people. Pastors today design their sermons just to pick people up and help them deal with despair.
There is nothing wrong with this. I preach these truths myself, yet I believe there’s one simple reason why we see so little victory and deliverance: it is unbelief. The fact is that God has spoken with great clarity in these last days, and he has said, “I’ve already given you a Word. It is finished and complete. Now, stand on it.”
Let no one tell you we are experiencing a famine of God’s Word. The truth is that we’re experiencing a famine of hearing God’s Word and obeying it. Why? Paul states plainly, “For the scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:11-13, 16-17, NKJV)
This is the only way true faith will ever rise up in any believer’s heart. It comes by hearing—that is, believing, trusting and acting on—God’s Word.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all… The Lord redeems the soul of his servants, and none of those who trust in him shall be condemned” (Psalm 34:17-19, 22).
In just these few passages from Psalms, we are given enough of God’s Word to drive out all unbelief. I urge you now to hear it, trust it and obey it. Finally, rest in it.