RHEMA REQUIRES SHEMA
Beloved, sometimes we’re asking God to speak while God is asking us to listen. We want direction, confirmation, answers, and a fresh word. But Scripture teaches us that hearing God is about more than simply hearing words.
In Hebrew, shama (שָׁמַע)—the word behind Shema—means to hear, listen, pay attention, and respond. Biblical hearing isn’t passive. If I truly hear God, what I hear should affect how I live.
That’s why Deuteronomy 6:4 begins, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” That word “Hear” is Shema. In other words: Hear it. Receive it. Respond to it. Live it.
Now consider the Greek word rhema (ῥῆμα). It means a word, saying, or utterance. We often pray, “Lord, give me a word.” But maybe the better question is, “Am I prepared to obey the Word when He gives it?”
Jesus said in Mark 4:9, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Everyone around Jesus had physical ears, so He was calling for something deeper—hearing that receives truth and responds to it.
Samuel understood this. In 1 Samuel 3:10, he said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Samuel wasn’t asking God for information. He was positioning himself for obedience.
Beloved, sometimes we keep asking God for another sign, another confirmation, another sermon, another Scripture—when God is waiting for us to respond to what He has already said.
Rhema requires Shema.
Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Notice the progression: They listen. Then they follow.
So quiet the noise. Open the Word. Pray. Listen. And when God speaks through His Word, respond.
Because sometimes the breakthrough isn’t receiving another word from God. Sometimes the breakthrough is obeying the Word He has already given you.
Pray with me: Father God, give me a Shema heart—a heart that hears, receives, responds, and obeys. Give me ears to truly hear You and the courage to follow what You say. Like Samuel, may my heart always say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” In Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance. Amen.
RHEMA REQUIRES SHEMA.
Hear it. Receive it. Respond to it. Live it.
#BeStrong #TGBTG #NAP #RhemaRequiresShema #HearGod #ObeyGod
