“Believe it… then Speak it!”
During the most troubling seasons of my life, I’ve found that the Word of God always holds true and that the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to carry me through any darkness. Though I’ve not been beaten or imprisoned for my faith in Jesus, I empathize with Paul as I read Acts 27.
When the Apostle Paul was nearing the end of his ministry, he found himself in the midst of a violent storm. It totally blindsided him and his men, but how did he react? Did he curse God or the storm? Did he think it was God’s “will” that caused the hurricane? Did he shrink back and furiously weep before the Lord and inquire what to do next?
No.
His reply to his men was this:
“I exhort you to be of good cheer… for there stood by me this night the angel of God.” (Acts 27:22-23 KJV)
Faith always has a position of cheer and confidence!
“Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” (Acts 27:25 KJV)
The Greek word for cheer is euthymeō (εὐθυμέω) which is a verb that literally means to be cheerful, joyful, and courageous.
But that’s ridiculous, how can we be CHEERFUL when we feel battered and like we’re about to bust at any second?
The Spirit of Faith always works in the life of the believer by believing and then speaking.
II Corinthians 4:13 states: “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;”
The psalmist wrote in Psalm 116:
- “I love the Lord, because He has heard [and now hears] my voice and my supplications.”
- “Then called I upon the name of the Lord: O Lord, I beseech You, save my life and deliver me!”
- “I believed (trusted in, relied on, and clung to my God), and therefore have I spoken [even when I said], I am greatly afflicted.”
Psalms 116:1,4 & 10 (AMPC)
It’s all about believing Jesus is who He says He is and proclaiming with your tongue that you agree!
When we put our mouth to work, we are actively creating change in our atmosphere. Faith isn’t just about mental ascent, it’s more than that. Your mind may say “I agree” but that’s not faith — faith is when your heart aligns with God’s Spirit and says “I KNOW.” It’s deeper than a thought or feeling, faith comes from the depths of your spirit agreeing with God’s spirit.
If “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” then from where are you hearing?