FAITH CAPSULE: The whole matter that counts is hearing the word of God to keep.

Matthew 14:22-33

Faith is anchored in hearing the word of God; faith is the source of fearing God. Failure to hear the word of God develops fear of evil. In life, the whole matter that counts is hearing the word of God and to keep the word of God.
It is written, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) If there is no hearing by the word of God, fear of evil take place the position of faith. God wants us to hear His word to fear Him. Ecclesiastes 12:13 recorded it, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” Man must hear the word of God to be able to fear God.
Evidence of the importance of hearing word of God to fear God was delivered through Moses, “…Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.” (Deuteronomy 4:10) Hearing the word of God is crucial to have faith, to fear God by not giving self to the fear of devil.
The word of God does not exempt us today. Today, we must hear the word of God to have faith, to have fear of God and not to give up to the fear of the evil.
Fear God is faith. Fearing outside of God is evil. Job 28:28 said it well, “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’”
Fearing God is taking a position to be blessed as mentioned in Psalm 128:4, “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.”
Fearing God is encouraged in Isaiah 35:4 stating, “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
Hearing the word of God and able to keep the word of God will provoke faith and not to fear evil. However, hearing the word of God and not able to keep the word of God is the cause of looking away to challenges which will give place to fear of evil.
When Jesus called Peter and disciples to journey on the boat they all heard Jesus and faith led them into to the boat without fear. When storm started on the journey, Jesus walked on the water. Peter heard the calling of Jesus’ calling for him to walk on the water. With faith Peter joined Jesus with no fear. However, when Peter looked away from the Word of God by looking to the storm, fear of the storm made him to sink. Hear the word of God, keep the word of God for faith but not fear of challenges of evil.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to be hearing and keeping the world of God.