Ears that hear and eyes that see -- the LORD has made them both (Proverbs 20:12).

Isn't it interesting that the invisible, intangible God of faith created us as highly sensory creatures?  We depend heavily on sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to know everything about the world around us -- yet none of these senses allow us to meaningfully connect with a God who is accessible primarily by faith!  Why did the LORD choose to do it this way?!?  If you ask me, I'd say it feels like a bit of a set-up...

But then again, maybe that's the way it's supposed to be.  After all, it is the LORD himself who made ears that hear and eyes that see.

The fact of the matter is that our senses can lead us to God.  Romans 1:19-20 says, "What may be known about God is plain to [the world], because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."  We can learn a lot about the Creator by looking at His creation.  Science can -- contrary to popular modern thinking -- lead us to God and put us on faith's doorstep.  But it can't bring us the whole way.  We have to use faith to make it all the way to God.  This isn't because He's playing hard-to-get or something.  It's just that our God-given senses can only take us so far.  Even for those who have received a personal revelation of Jesus ultimately need to depend on their faith more than their senses.  Paul said this directly in his letter to the Galatians (3:1-2):  "Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.  I would like to learn just one thing from you:  Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?"  The implication, clearly, is that the real spiritual connection happened when faith was applied.  Ears and eyes can bring us to the point of faith -- but unless that last step is taken, the ears and the eyes have done their work in vain.

With this in mind, it's fascinating to read the stories of Jesus in which he calls out:  "He who has ears, let him hear" (I might recommend reading Matthew chapter 13 for the full effect).  The truth is being broadcast for everyone to take it in.  But unless a person will receive the truth and apply it in faith, they will see but not understand; they will hear but not perceive.  And in that case, you have to wonder:  what is the point of God making ears that hear and eyes that see -- if they cannot lead us back to our Creator?