And They Remembered His Words
Lisa Cooke
The women who went to the tomb with their spices to wrap Jesus’ body with were confronted by two angels, who reminded them what Jesus had said about His crucifixion and His resurrection. Verse 8 of Luke 24 says “And they remembered His words…”
It can be treacherously easy to forget things that the Lord has spoken to us either by His Spirit, by His Word, or by other believers when life becomes difficult in circumstance. We don’t want to become a forgetful hearer as James 1:25 refers to, but endeavor to become quick to remember the things God has spoken to us.
I heard the testimony of a minister who kept a notebook of prophecies that he had received over the years concerning his life and ministry. When he was battling a life threatening health crisis, he read that notebook over and over, reassuring himself of things spoken by the Spirit to him. He made a conscious effort to remember those words and they brought such encouragement to him. He did recover and is continuing strong in ministry, fulfilling God’s will. This reminded me a bit of what Paul told Timothy: “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare” (1 Tim 1:18).
Proverbs 4:20 says “My son, give attention to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.”
We know how vital it is to remember the Scriptures, but in addition to that we want to also remember the personal words given to us by prophetic utterance. Those can come to us gently through the words of a friend, or can come strongly through the ministry of a prophet. All words of encouragement should be recorded and kept for times when such inspiration is needed.
Psalm 119:16 says “…I will not forget Your word” and verse 176 says “…for I do not forget Your commandments.” Each of us should make the commitment to steadfastly remember His words to us so that we can strengthen our understanding of what He has spoken over us.
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 4:4 that “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He said this to the devil while He was in the wilderness being tempted to step out of His God ordained identity. There will be times in our lives as well where the enemy will try to get us off the path God has ordained for us, and we will need to remember what God has specifically said to us. We do the best in life when we are living by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
We want to listen for and remember the words breathed out by God (see 2 Timothy 3:16) because we want to be “competent, equipped for every good work” (verse 17). That means knowing and being convinced that we are who God says we are and that we have what God says we have. Nothing is more soul satisfying and spirit strengthening than being assured in our hearts of God’s plans and purposes for us.
Father, let our ears be opened to hear what You have to say to us. Let us be quick to discern Your voice through Your Word, through Your people, and through the still, small voice inside of us. Let our hearts be receptive, fertile ground for Your words to take root in us and bear much fruit for Your honor and glory. Help us remember Your words every day of our lives, that we might walk in the fullness of Your will.
