When God speaks . . . things happen!

When the Bible speaks of the “word” of God, it uses at least two terms. One is logos which is a bit hard to define. Generally, it refers to a message from God using Scripture (the written word) and Jesus (the living Word)

The other word is rhema or variations of it. It means a specific word that addresses the need of the hearer. It is about those times when God speaks directly to the heart. Christians know how this works. We hear a sermon (logos) but there is part of it that is ‘just for me’ as if the speaker and I are the only ones in the room. This is rhema. It also happens when reading the Bible and thoughts jump off the page that answer my questions, confirm my faith, rebuke my sin, encourage me to trust Jesus, or simply bless me in the situation I am in.

Both are powerful. Paul was in prison when he wrote some of his epistles, but prison did not keep the Word of God from his lips. In several places he assured his readers that even though he was bound in chains, the Word of God was not hindered.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:8–10)

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. (2 Timothy 4:17)

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:12–14)

There is another sense that the Word of God is not mere words sitting in a page. When God speaks, He is not talking idly; His words have purpose. In the beginning, He spoke the world into existence. He spoke to Abraham and this man believed Him and became known as the father of faith. Others also heard God before him and believed, like Enoch and Noah as did millions since then.

The Word of God is powerful, not because it is a great work of literature or because it is beloved by God’s people, but because He wrote it and uses it to talk to us. The New Testament says, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)

Because this ‘word’ is from God, it will do what God says. Again, He does not speak without purpose:

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10–11)

As the NT says, this Word, specifically rhema, changes lives. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word (rhema) of Christ” (Romans 10:17) and through faith, people are changed: “You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)

It also continually changes the lives of those who believe it and continue to read it:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

For all this, I must keep on reading it, studying it, just never assuming I know it all, for even if I could memorize Genesis to Revelation, it is that rhema reality that makes it a conversation, not an academic exercise or a theological project. God talks to me. I hear Him in my heart and in His book (these two always agree) and He hears me whenever I speak to Him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, You are the voice of God who came here in human form to reach into my silence and make all things new. What a blessing to know You and to know that what You say is vital and life changing. My heart is filled with joy because You speak.

Today’s thankful list . . .

God speaks!

A very long conversation with Him each day.

Today having a long conversation with our granddaughter who lives in another country.

Chocolate fudge, yum.

My hubby’s scars are healing wonderfully.