AFFIRM YOUR VICTORY AND DELIVERANCE – Pastor Chris
Monday, August 6, 2018
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak (2 Corinthians 4:13).
Christianity is a life of faith. We believe; therefore, we speak. We speak on the basis of our faith in the Word, and not according to circumstances.
It reminds of the inspiring utterance of Jonah in Jonah 2:1-4. He was in trouble, but read his affirmation of faith: “…I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.”
Imagine the content of Jonah’s prayer, despite being in such a distressing situation: A great fish had swallowed him up after he disobeyed God’s instruction to go to Nineveh and proclaim His Word. In the belly of the fish, he refused to give up; instead, he prophesied his victory. He declared, “…I will look again toward thy holy temple!”
This is prophetic prayer, and it’s important for God’s people to pray this way, where you speak the will of God into being by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Observe further, Jonah’s prophetic utterances from the belly of the fish: “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:8-9).
You may read this and think, “Oh, well, Jonah said this after he came out from the fish’s belly”; no. He spoke those words while still in the belly of the fish. He knew that looking at the circumstances would make him forsake the mercies of God. He had come to realise that God is a deliverer and a rescuer; so he refused to dwell on his predicament. Thus, while still in trouble, he began to thank God for delivering him. He understood the Word of God. He knew that God calls things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17).
Don’t be moved by the unpleasantness of your present circumstances; don’t observe negative symptoms of lack or ill-health; prophesy your victory. Proclaim the Word. Worship the Lord in the midst of that seemingly hopeless situation. Declare that you have overcome; thank Him for your deliverance and victory.
CONFESSION
The Word of God is in my heart and in my mouth today, by which I prevail. The Word in my mouth is God talking! Nothing is impossible to me because I live in, and by the Word, walking in continual victory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 27:1-3; Psalm 91:2; Romans 4:17; Mark 11:23
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Romans 9:1-29 & Psalms 74-77
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Ephesians 6:10-20 & Isaiah 57
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Amen. Thank you very much Deacon