January 8, 2009, "The SAME Spirit of Faith"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written By: Teresa Criswell

"I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and supplications (. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. The cords and sorrows of death were around me; and the terrors of Sheol (the place of the dead) had laid hold of me; I suffered anguish and grief (trouble and sorrow). THEN called I upon the name of the Lord: O Lord, I beseech You, save my life and deliver me! Gracious is the Lord, and [rigidly] righteous; yes, our God is merciful!"

~ Psalm 116 (Excerpt from Psalm 116:1-5 Amplified Bible)

And we have the same Spirit of Faith.

My mind attempts to ponder this Supernatural fact. "We have the same 'Spirit of Faith'." It led me to curiosity of the simple word, 'same'. So I did my quick referencing via The Free Dictionary.com. In my quick search, I found there are several definitions, which I was familiar with. However, the word 'same' that is referenced in II Corinthians 4 is defined as 'Being the very one'. Now the other definitions mentioned obviously define the word, 'same', however, those definitions are more describing similarity versus being the very same one.

Nonetheless, I wanted to know who Paul was speaking of when he said, "And we have the same Spirit of Faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I speak...". So I realized that he was referencing someone or someone's writings. I asked the Lord, who was he referencing? My Amplified Bible referenced, Psalm 116. I sat in my chair amazed.

The writer (author unknown) of Psalm 116 was in similar perplexities, hardships, and most likely being struck down whether in his thoughts, circumstances or just everything; yet even in all of the pressings of circumstances the joyous psalmist reminded himself of the Gracious God he loves. He reminded himself of His God Who is his Helper. He reminded his mind (soul) to just rest, remembering how the Lord had dealt bountifully with him. He yet again, reminded himself in verse 8, "For you have delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling and falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living! Then in verse 10 that Spirit of Faith rises up and the psalmist proclaims, "I BELIEVED (TRUSTED IN, RELIED ON, AND CLUNG TO MY GOD), AND THEREFORE HAVE I SPOKEN [EVEN WHEN I SAID], I AM GREATLY AFFLICTED." He spoke forth whom He believed in even with all the afflictions that barraged him.

My closing thought for today: Just as the psalmist and just as Paul, I want to be make the choice and decision to be more overtaken by my belief in God, over the belief that I may be overtaken by the afflictions pressing me.

If you didn't get a chance to read yesterday's devotional, it is titled, "Pressed? Perplexed?"


**A side note from Rick Warren's 'Sparkling Gems':
(Definition of Afflicition: In most of Paul's writings, he associates "joy" with times of affliction. The word "affliction" used in this verse is the Greek word thlipsis. This word is so strong that it leaves no room for misunderstanding regarding the intensity of the afflictions the Thessalonians faced.

The word thlipsis conveys the idea of a heavy-pressure situation. One scholar says it was first used to describe the specific act of tying a victim with a rope, laying him on his back, and then placing a huge boulder on top of him until his body was crushed).

Comments

  1. This scripture is very close and personal to my heart. You know the 'cords' the Psalmist speaks of? They are very real. They had me bound for many years. I experienced a deliverance by God's Mighty Hand (Hallelujah!), and the prayer warrior praying over me, without even knowing my circumstances said "The cords are being cut!" As he was saying that, I could see flashes of light in my spirit. God cut the cords, is it any wonder I love Him so?

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  2. Great devotion...I stand with you on making the choice "to be more overtaken by my belief in God, over the belief that I may be overtaken by the afflictions pressing me."...amen!

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  3. Wow! Debby..that's amazing "The cords are being cut!" Hallelujah! Amen! God cut the cords...and it is no wonder that you love Him so!!! O, I love that!
    Karen...yes, thank you for standing with me on that! You wonderful ladies are precious!

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  4. Sister, you have no idea how I needed this reminder of Psalm 116 - only God knows the power of healing in lives broken by wounds of abuse, and only God knows the healing that is fully availiable in those events. God sent you to Threads of Hope, sister, maybe just to show me that our God is in control , right this very minute, to show me how beautiful I am to Him, when my life circumstances ( and the enemy ) try to convince me otherwise.. Oh you have no idea, no idea, what you have shared here and how it is giving me hope to continue walking into God's beauty as His princess.. Oh my, tears this morning of deep thanks to God for loving me enough to share your thoughts with me...

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  5. O Sweet Karen! I am so moved by God's precious love revealed over you my sister! You are a vessel of honor, set apart and useful for the Master prepared for every good work (II Timothy 2:21)! Bless you my sister..O how wonderful our God is..it boggles my mind that He is SO WONDERFULLY AWESOME all the TIME!!! God is faithful my friend...Speak grace to the mountain! MWAH!
    Love your sister..Teresa

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