The Rhema of God's Voice

Isaiah 42:16

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;I will lead them in paths they have not known.I will make darkness light before them,And crooked places straight.These things I will do for them,And not forsake them.

“So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:17).  This scripture has taken new meaning to me this year since I have come to understand the root Greek meaning of the word “WORD of God,” in this passage, which is ‘Rhema.’ 

In the scripture there are two types of words for WORD OF GOD – ‘Logos’ and ‘Rhema.’ They are both to be understood through the lens of scripture and God only speaks what can be confirmed in the bible, but the Lord does speak to his servants in many ways.  There are branches of Christianity that are suspicious to encounters with God.  They don’t believe that Jesus is the same today, yesterday and forever.  They believe that God only speaks through the bible.  So, there is this war in Christian thought where those who hear by the spirit are always feeling pressure.  They have heard God speak but people say that isn’t possible.

I have spent the last 20 years writing and speaking on how God communicates.  I am a strong advocate that His voice is not limited in any way.  The scriptures illuminate His voice.  He is the author of them through the hearts of many writers, which was around 40 people.  These people came from exalted and humble backgrounds.  Some were kings and priests, while others were shepherds and fishermen.

The logos is a compilation of all the written words that have come to us through these writers through the Millenia.  The Logos is generally thought of as the whole, eternal and comprehensive counsel of God (the entire bible, or Jesus as the Living Word).  What is written is from the hand of God released through the hearts of men to teach, edify and comfort the body of Christ.  We learn the orthodox faith.  We see the godly examples of those who lived and witnessed God through time.  Their stories become our stories.  The scriptures inspire us on in our faith.  I could not live without the bible.  I love the bible.  I have read it many times. 

And yet, I have experienced God’s voice through the spirit.  He speaks to me outside of the scripture, but it doesn’t contradict the scripture.  The devil speaks also but the Holy Spirit is there helping us to understand the words that God has for us.  A lot of times you will notice yourself reading a passage of scripture and suddenly it just comes to life.  You read the ‘logos’ but suddenly there is a light on it.  In that moment you saw it as it was a living word and it changed you from inside to out.  It caused you to live differently.    This is an example of the written word becoming the ‘Rhema’ word because the Holy Spirit revealed something about that scripture to you.

Faith comes by hearing the ‘Rhema’ word.  There are times I struggle with my faith and I pray.  I spend long hours in prayer fighting against thoughts that come against me.  In those hours I am seeking God’s counsel regarding my circumstances.  All of us face decisions and trials. The wrong decision could take us out, but if we find ourselves in the counsel of God, and He speaks, then we will be sheltered.

Like Isaiah 42:16 above the counsel of God leads us who are blind along the paths that He has for us.  These paths are not always the paths that we expect.  Many of the paths that I have walked in my life have led to wonderful places, but I only came to them from praying and hearing the ‘Rhema’ word of God.  When He spoke, and I listened, great blessing came upon my life.  The ways that looked crooked to my eye became straight, even easy to walk, because the wisdom of God allowed my feet to land upon solid ground. 

I understand that there are many people walking around saying that they have heard from God, but perhaps they haven’t.  I don’t want to judge them too harshly.  I have encountered many who have done crazy unusual things and your wonder if they are sane.  Perhaps some of them are not.  And yet, I believe I hear His voice.  I step out in faith based on what I hear.  The fruit that I encounter in the stepping judges if I have heard.  Many times, the fruit has been good, but sometimes it was not.  These times become learning experiences where I realise, I need to hear more clearly.

So, putting all the debate aside, I have decided that God does speak to me through the Holy Spirit.  I have become open to hearing by the small still voice.  I am open to prophetic words and encouragement.  I am open to dreams and visions.  I want to hear His voice because I have seen the blessing from it.  I choose to believe by faith the things I hear.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  I declare that my ears will always hear His voice.  I will never be hungry or thirsty because you will fill me with you word, My Lord.

I pray for you today also and ask God to open your ears to hear and your eyes to see what God wants you to see and hear.  I pray that the ‘Rhema’ comes to life inside of you.  I pray that you will be filled to overflowing with the light of heaven.  May you know His voice even better than your own.  May you walk in His ways and experience the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.