Scripture Phrases That Jump Out

Posted on 05/05/2022 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

Perhaps this has happened to you. I’m reading in my Bible, nothing particular going on in my mind, kind of ‘sleep-reading’. And then suddenly, I read something that seems to jump out at me!

It may be only a small phrase, but it seems to jolt me with an impact that hits me between my eyes. This has happened to me on a number of occasions during my daily Bible reading.

The phrase that jumps out is often just a few words, or sometimes a whole verse, but it seems to clarify my understanding of a specific concern, or a general subject. But in each instance, it is the reassuring fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth (John 16:13).

I would like to share a few of these phrases that have influenced me, and have become a faithful reminder at decisive moments in my life. These have been a constant message for me of the love our heavenly Father, Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God].

Of course such phrases are not to be dissociated from the overall context of the passage. Phrases of Scripture should always be examined within the context of the passage, looking to see what is being said both before and after.

However, these small phrases that have jumped out at me, and have greatly impressed me, can also be understood as a single message.

So here are five of the phrases (in no particular order) that have impacted me and persuaded me of the truth of God’s Word [the Bible].

1) Proverbs 3:5

TRUST in Yahuwah [the LORD] with all your heart; and LEAN NOT unto your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

This whole verse jumped out at me when I was a new Believer.

The admonition to ‘Trust in Yahuwah [the LORD]’ was followed by this simple direction to not ‘lean’ on my own understanding.

For me, this verse suddenly gave me a total relief and release! This Word helped me understand that I did not need to try and figure out what to do to make things turn out well and good. This verse helped me to trust my heavenly Father and set me free from much worry, anxiety, and fretfulness.

By His Holy Spirit, Father God revealed to me that I did not have to depend on my own understanding to support me and guide me. My own understanding had already proven to me that I could not depend on it. My own understanding had already led me into plenty of trouble and heartache!

Of course I knew that God gave me the ability to think, to reason, to understand, to plan. But what He showed me in that sudden moment was that He wanted His Words, His thoughts and His counsel to be my support, and my guide. Yahuwah [the LORD] wanted me to learn to ‘lean on’, rely on, and trust in His instructions — and to trust in His goodness and love for me!

I have written in more detail about this particular ‘sudden revelation’ in the articles: Trusting in Yahuwah With All Your Heart – Part 1 and Part 2

2) Psalm 119:130

THE ENTRANCE OF YOUR WORDS GIVES LIGHT; it gives understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130)

This verse was like a strong confirmation for me of the importance of spending time each day reading God’s Word. The simple action of studying the Bible every day seemed to be strengthening my ability to avoid sinning.

The more I read the Bible the more spiritually aware I became. Seeking to understand things has always been a driving force with me. I began to notice that the Scriptures were illuminating my understanding. Understanding of many things was increasing in all areas of my life. I seemed to have a better grasp, more insight with whatever task I was doing.

As Yahushua Messiah [the Hebrew name for Jesus Christ] said, God’s Word was becoming ‘life’ for me! This was inspiring me, and encouraging me to remain faithful to my heavenly Father (John 6:63,68; Psalm 119:93).

Simply studying God’s Word every day increases our ability to avoid sin! Studying God’s Word [the Holy Bible], orderly and carefully, and doing what it says, makes us more able to receive Father’s insight and direction. It is Father’s insight and wisdom that can make the difference between a certainty of action, or being hesitant and indecisive, as verses throughout the Bible teach us.

I have written about this particular Scripture in several of my articles, one of them being Enlightening the Eyes of Our Understanding: 5 Steps

3) Deuteronomy 4:5-6

Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD my God] commanded me, that you should do so in the land where you go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for THIS is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. (Deuteronomy 4:5-6)

These verses were further confirmation for me of this truth — that Believers in Yahushua [Jesus] should maintain obedience to Torah!

That phrase ‘this is your wisdom and your understanding‘ jumped out at me. That phrase is referring to keeping the statutes and judgments of Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God]. In other words, keeping His commandments becomes our wisdom and understanding.

In the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (see Matthew 25:1-13), the Wise Virgins had wisdom, but the Foolish Virgins did not have wisdom. Perhaps the Wise Virgins knew that wisdom and understanding did not come to an end after the death, burial, and resurrection of Yahushua Messiah.

I have always believed that Yahushua’s Father is also my heavenly Father! He is also the same heavenly Father of Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David, and of all the prophets.

Therefore what He told His children from the beginning, is the same instruction for all of His children, including those who have been ‘grafted in’ through Messiah, to the family of Israel.

My heavenly Father is Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God], and He has told us: For I am Yahuwah [the LORD], I change not… (Malachi 3:6a).

Several Scriptures have confirmed this truth to me, over and over! I have written about this particular truth in several articles, two of them being: Obeying Torah is Not About Salvation and The Torah: The Key to Unlocking God’s Word.

4) Lamentations 2:19

All through the night get up again and again to cry out to the Lord; Pour out your heart and BEG HIM FOR MERCY ON YOUR CHILDREN – Children starving to death on every street corner! (Lamentations 2:19) (GNB)

This verse jumped out at me during a time when I was in great agony over our wayward daughter.

This chapter, even the whole book of Lamentations, is the mournful cry of the prophet Jeremiah over all the destruction happening in Jerusalem.

However, when I read this verse, all I could think of was my dear, precious daughter who had gone astray like a lost sheep.

Prayer for God’s mercy on our daughter is an on-going prayer with us, sometimes praying in the night seasons — praying for her to hunger for God and return to the protective, everlasting arms of our Saviour.

I have written about being faithful in prayer in articles such as: Continue Steadfastly In Prayer and Prayer: the Evidence of Patient, Persistent Love.

5) Psalm 85:8

I will hear what God Yahuwah [the LORD] will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but LET THEM NOT TURN AGAIN TO FOLLY. (Psalm 85:8)

As I was reading this verse, I was at first comforted and encouraged. But then, when I read the last phrase ‘let them not turn again to folly‘, the phrase jumped out and I was suddenly frightened.

I did not understand it at first. It took me several months to begin to truly understand what Yahuwah meant by this phrase.

I knew it was a warning against folly, but what ‘folly’ was the Father warning me against?

Over time, I have come to understand that it is a warning to not turn again back to the folly of being a servant of sin — not indulging in the folly of things that are unclean or the folly of iniquity (violation of the law). The apostle Paul warns us that once we become servants to righteousness, then we are to remain free from doing those sinful things that we are now ashamed of (see Romans 6:17-22).

This means we are to avoid sinning. And after much searching, the Holy Spirit showed me the definition of sin:

Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression (violation) of the law. (1John 3:4)

This verse cleared up a lot of my confusion about how to please Yahuwah. I have written about this particular truth in several of my articles, two of which are: What is Sin? and A Way That Seems Right: Avoiding the Deceit of Falsehoods

“The reading of the Word … is a kind of hearing with the eyes, and faith will often come to men while they are reading the Word of God for themselves. … The reading of the Word is a quiet hearing of the still small voice of the printed page. Faith comes by the Word of God reaching our minds, and our knowing and understanding it. ‘The entrance of God’s Word gives light.'” — Charles Spurgeon

Perhaps this has happened to you too, a verse or a phrase of God’s Word that ‘jumped out’ at you.

When this happens, we become nourished by the Words of Scripture, and are made stronger in The Faith. Moreover, we are made aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all Truth!

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