Eight long weeks have passed since last I blogged. I felt the compulsion to write but I had no words. I thought of Mercy Me’s lyrics
I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
So I listened. We listened. All of us listened – and God spoke.
Each of us knowing well our incapacities and weakness, we find it hard to grasp the many ways God tells us He is intimately acquainted with us. While doubts often strangle the reality of these words, they are nevertheless written to us who belong to Christ.
Look, if you sold a few sparrows, how much money would you get? A copper coin apiece, perhaps? And yet your Father in heaven knows when those small sparrows fall to the ground. You beloved, are worth so much more than a whole flock of sparrows. God knows everything about you, even the number of hairs on your head. So do not fear. (Matthew 10:29-31)
…I can never forget you! I have written your name on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16 GNT)
You have taken note of my journey through life, caught each of my tears in Your bottle. (Psalm 56:8 The Voice)
You have explored my heart and know exactly who I am; You even know the small details like when I take a seat and when I stand up again.Even when I am far away, You know what I’m thinking. You observe my wanderings and my sleeping, my waking and my dreaming, and You know everything I do in more detail than even I know. You know what I’m going to say long before I say it. (Psalm 139:1-4 The Voice.)
Are you convinced yet? Does God mean what He says? Does He keep His word?
All my life as a believer, I have claimed these things to be true. That we can “talk” to God and He will “talk” back. Not only through His written word (Logos), but also through His spoken word (Rhema). Those are the two Greek words translated “word” in our New Testament.
“In the beginning was the Word…” that is the Logos. It has to do with reason and the written word. It is a name for the second person of the Trinity. Most of us are familiar with logos.
But what about Rhema? Here’s what Vines Expository Dictionary says about the difference between logos and rhema:
The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Eph 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.
What does all that mean to us?
When we read God’s written Word, the Bible, and study out the various shades of meaning in Hebrew and Greek, we are discerning the logos.
It is a different matter altogether when you are praying, asking God for direction, and the Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance a particular reference or even a verse you’ve memorized. That is a rhema.
Immeasurably More
It was 97 days ago that two policemen came to arrest our daughter, Texas, for a crime supposedly committed almost a year ago. Just when she was finally drug-free and full of purpose and calling. It just didn’t make sense in the natural. We were crushed.
As the days have dragged by – her birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s – we have waited to see what the state would offer, if anything. Finally last week, the offer came:
Instead of 20 months in prison, they are offering one year in jail (remaining where she is now) and three years drug-offender probation with a curfew.
One means she’ll be shipped off to a prison to be determined and probably end up serving 14 months there. OR she’ll be released from jail in July and have the probation (with monthly fees and curfew) for three years.
We all want to shout – “Take the deal, Texas! You’ll be home before you know it.”
But while she’s been in jail, she’s received many rhema words from God. One time her Bible fell on the floor and as she went to pick it up the Holy Spirit said, “Read this!”
…and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your home… Josh. 22:2-4
Another time while waiting to go to the jail church service she asked God if He wanted to say anything to her and she felt like He said, “Read Micah 2:13.”
God will open the way for them and lead them out of exile. They will break out of the city gates and go free. Their king, the Lord himself, will lead them out.
Fourteen other times Texas has received what she believes to be God’s spoken word to her – to encourage, to assure, and to direct her steps.
This morning she turned down the state’s offer. Tomorrow she goes before the judge and we will see what happens next. Will you be excited with us? Will God not do all that He has promised?
If he cares for us as intimately as His Word says, and we have followed with a pure heart, will He not freely give us all things?
Trying to wrap his mind around the words
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts
Mark Batterson says this in his book, The Circle Maker:
“The distance between His wisdom and ours…is likened to the distance from one side of the universe to the other…The outer edge of the universe, according to astrophysicists, is 15.5 billion light-years away! If that seems incomprehensible, it’s because it’s virtually unimaginable. So here’s my thought: Your best thought on your best day falls 15.5 billion light-years short of how great and how good God really is. Even the most brilliant among us underestimate God by 15.5 light years. God is able to do 15.5 billion light -years beyond what you can ask or imagine.”
O [Texas], servant of the living God, is thy God,
whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee? ~Daniel 6:20
Stay tuned!
Faith-builder! For sure! Praising God for His indwelling of Texas and for leading her heart and mind in His way. Waiting and watching.
Loved this post. Very powerful words and thoughts.
Cathee, This was so right on point for what I needed to hear. God does love me and I know that. But sometimes the here and now is so hard to deal with. Yet I know and I believe that He does know every hair on my head and that this time in my is for His glory and His glory alone. I don’t understand why I had to lose my leg, but the odd thing is, He has me in a position of truly “being still” and getting to know Him in a more intimate and personal way than I ever have before. Whatever happens with Texas, she knows, you know, we know that she is going to glorify God wherever she is. She is an amazing woman and your prayers have not gone unheard. Different trials – different paths we are walking – but the end goal is always to glorify God. I had not read Psalm 139 for a long time but will do it now on a daily basis for a while. Knowing that God knows every inch of my being and that He has foreordained my life is such a comfort. He is in control! Praying for you my long-time friend!
Donna
God’s rhema can shake the heart . . . a good thing . . . to be so nudged and affirmed and given direction . . . to propel us, so to speak, into God’s purpose for us daily. Oh what strength Texas has found in God’s Word. She is becoming a great example of faith with perseverance for us all. We pray . . . we listen . . . we pray some more. May the result be in God’s hands and give Texas a peace that surpasses all understanding. Thanks for God’s words spoken from the heart.
We wait with you for His deliverance. We do not always understand His ways, but we know His way is right. He will use her in the most unlikely places. That has always been Texas’ way. She is so unique and her witness is powerful. I know that pleases God. Waiting and praying.
A breathe of prayer….magnificent! Only God, one breath leads to another, it is called living! One prayer that leads to another is called prayer without ceasing!..prayer without ceasing, leads to a miracle! Always! Believe it!
Our very breaths are prayers, aren’t they Pam? So enjoyed our visit. Love you big.
Loved the part about the light-years and how great our God is.
As a very intimate part of this long story, I want to say today, “It is worth it” . What we have gone through for years, the promises we have been given through the Word, the heartaches we have endured, the doubts we have had, the thoughts people have had about us and our family, the sleepless nights, the loss of reputation, the tears (Psm 56:8), the seemingly false hopes we have had, and so much more – today, it has been worth it because I see a woman of faith who has exceeded my biggest expectations. She puts me to sham as I watch her put God to the test of keeping His promises and at the same time knowing He is putting her to the test of her faith. Texas, I am so proud of you and I love you with all of my heart. You encourage me so much. Yes, He is able and will deliver you.
Daddy
What a beautiful message, Bob. It’s been quite a ride but both of us can hardly believe we are seeing Texas free from her past at last. It’s an amazing thing to witness. Thank you for standing with me in this very long battle and hanging on to the faith that God would be glorified in the end. I love you for that!!