Divine Rhema: Notable Bible Verses

The concept of rhema—the living, spoken, and personal Word of God—is woven throughout Scripture, where we see God speaking directly into people’s lives in specific, immediate ways. Below are several biblical examples where a rhema word provided direction, comfort, and power for the situation at hand:

1. Mary’s Encounter with the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:38)

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, his message was a rhema word, a direct and personal revelation from God for Mary. Her response shows she received this living word in faith:

“Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word (rhema).'” (Luke 1:38)

Gabriel’s message was not merely a general principle or a written truth from Scripture—it was a personal and timely word spoken to Mary, applying to her unique calling and situation.

2. Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:29)

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he asked if he could come to Him. Jesus responded with a simple but powerful rhema word:

“So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29)

Jesus’ one-word command—“Come”—was the rhema that gave Peter the ability to walk on water. Without this spoken word, Peter would not have had the faith or supernatural ability to step out of the boat. This shows that a rhema word, when received and acted upon, empowers the believer to do what would otherwise be impossible.

3. Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:4)

When Jesus was fasting in the wilderness, Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread. Jesus responded by quoting Scripture, but He specifically used the word rhema to describe how God’s Word nourishes and sustains us:

“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceeds from the mouth of God.”'” (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus was pointing out that, beyond physical sustenance, we live by the ongoing, fresh, and spoken words (rhema) of God. These timely words, delivered to us by the Holy Spirit, nourish our spirit just as food nourishes our body.

4. The Apostle Paul’s Ministry Direction (Acts 16:6-10)

In Acts 16, Paul and his companions were traveling and preaching the gospel, but they received several direct rhema words from the Holy Spirit about where they should go—and not go:

“They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” (Acts 16:6-7)

Later, Paul received a rhema word through a vision:

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.'” (Acts 16:9)

This vision was a rhema word, giving Paul clear and specific guidance. Without these direct words from God, Paul and his companions would have traveled elsewhere, but the Holy Spirit led them to Macedonia for a greater purpose. This demonstrates how rhema words provide divine direction in the moment.

5. Ananias Sent to Heal Saul (Acts 9:10-17)

After Saul (later Paul) encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, God spoke to a disciple named Ananias in a vision, giving him a specific rhema word to go and lay hands on Saul so that he might regain his sight. Despite his fears, Ananias obeyed the direct word of God:

“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ So the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying…'” (Acts 9:10-11)

This word was not a general truth from Scripture but a direct, personal message from God to Ananias. It shows how a rhema word can lead to an act of faith that brings healing, transformation, and blessing into the life of another.

6. The Call of Gideon (Judges 6:12-16)

In the Old Testament, God spoke directly to Gideon, who saw himself as weak and insignificant. The angel of the Lord gave him a rhema word, calling him to deliver Israel from the Midianites:

“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!’… Then the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?'” (Judges 6:12, 14)

This was a direct and personal word from God, telling Gideon who he was in God’s eyes and what he was called to do. This rhema word transformed Gideon’s identity and purpose, even though he initially doubted himself.

How to Apply Rhema in Your Life

These biblical examples show how rhema words can bring clarity, courage, and direction. While the logos (the written Word of God) gives us a foundation of truth, the rhema word is often what we need in specific moments—whether it’s a prompting to act, a word of encouragement, or divine guidance for a decision.

To apply rhema in your life:

1. Abide in the Logos: Immerse yourself in Scripture, so your heart is attuned to God’s voice and truth.
2. Listen in Prayer: Spend time in prayer, asking God to speak to you about specific situations. Be sensitive to His still, small voice.
3. Expect Fresh Revelation: God is always speaking, and His Spirit will highlight or bring to life certain Scriptures or truths when you need them. Trust that He will give you timely words for your journey.
4. Act on What You Hear: When you receive a rhema word, respond in faith, just as Mary, Peter, Ananias, and Paul did.

Incorporating rhema into your walk with God helps you stay connected to the living and active voice of the Holy Spirit, empowering you to navigate life with divine wisdom and authority.

About the Author

VOA Team

Administrator

Visit Website View All Posts