WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path
Psalm 119:105

Not too long ago, I was talking with a dear young lady who was going to appear on a panel having to do with her work. There would be some questions to answer on the spot and no telling what questions or antics anyone on the panel might have to deal with. This lady is a real woman of the Word and in contemplating this event, she said some words from Scripture came to her mind. They were: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” She wasn't anticipating a problem, but definitely felt the Lord was leading the way in the situation, preparing her for the event. We spoke briefly how Scripture can suddenly “cross our minds” at times without our even thinking about the any Scripture at the time.

So many times during the good and bad of life, there have been times when a verse from Scripture or even just a line without my praying or having a spiritual thought at the time that came to me out of the blue. . Until I matured a little more, I got away from asking “Where did that come from?” Those words would come to me just at the times I needed encouragement. It was such a good day when the Holy Spirit let me in on His secret. It was Him knowing my every step or problem that the He knew when to bring to my mind just the right words from His Word that I needed at a moment's notice.

So often in just lonely or difficult times, I have “recalled” God's assurance that He is with me and will never forsake me. I often feel reassured that my Father holds me in the palm of His hand. At the time I don't know the address of the verse, but the words are real and I am encouraged and comforted.

Some might say that those things don't happen to them. I've had born again ladies who have said as much to me. The young lady I spoke of in the beginning has practically grown up in the Scriptures. If we have an abundance of exposure to the Word, the Holy Spirit has more fuel to use in speaking to us at the appropriate times. So are we in the Scriptures enough to retain verses and phrases from our Bibles the Holy Spirit can use as reminders, encouragement and blessing at the appropriate times of our need?

In these days, we may have extra amounts of time that we can spend in our Bibles. I don't memorize things very well anymore but still in my reading, there are words and phrases that stick. I may not know what to do with them in the moment, but the Holy Spirit knows the when and where's I will need just a few words from Him to lift me up. There's no particular place to read. Just reading the Word is spiritual fuel for the moment that can “come to mind” later. The time spent in the Word will never be a waste. Don't forget in your reading to include the Old Testament. There we see God's dealing with people, His character that is consistent even for us to this day.

The important thing is to recognize these spiritual reminders that cross our minds are not just happenstance. It's the Holy Spirit, who abides in every born again believer Who brings these special blessings to pass. On the spot, we should give Him thanks for His knowing when to speak to us that no one else knows anything about. When we stay spiritually alert in this area, we won't have to ask, “Where did that come from?” We'll know that we know. 

Thank You Father, for Your Word and for Your Spirit Who ministers to us through it. May we read our Bibles in anticipation of what You want to say to us at any given moment. Help us to walk in obedience to what we read. Thank You for Jesus Who made it all possible by His death and our salvation. In His precious name...Amen