According As It Is Written

If my belief system was based only on the Holy Scriptures instead of being mixed with my experiences in life, then perhaps, I could truthfully repeat what the Apostle Paul said when he quoted the psalmist David. 

In 2nd Corinthians 4:13, the Apostle Paul is expressing the same degree of faith that David wrote about in Psalms 116:10.

David said ... "I believed, therefore have I spoken."  He said this during a time of trouble and affliction.

Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, speaks as one with them and says ... "We having the same spirit of faith, (as David) according as it is written, 'I believe, and therefore have I spoken'; we also believe, and therefore speak ..."

Paul had just written before this ... "We are troubled on every side, yet we are not distressed; perplexed, (be at a loss mentally) but not in dispair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed ..."

Then he goes on and says, "according as it is written" and quotes David ... "I believe, and therefore have I spoken" ... and immediately adds, "we also believe and speak."  So what belief is he speaking about?  "That He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also ..."

Paul pulls this phrase, "I believe" out of Psalm 116.  But there is much more in it ...

David starts with this ... "I love the Lord ..."  Every believer ought to be able to declare this without the slightest hesitation.

Then he says ... "I found trouble and sorrow.  Then I called upon the name of the Lord."  Prayer is never out of season.  When a man cannot run to God, he can call to Him.  The greatest prayer ever prayed is simply ... "God help me!"

And finally he gives a promise I really need.  David says ... "Our God is merciful.  The Lord preserveth the simple."  Let me translate this verse for you.  "God helps those who aren't smart enough to help themselves."  That's me.  I need all the help I can get.  More of Jesus.  A whole lot more.

Those who have worldly skills and wit, generally know how to care for themselves through their own craftiness.  But believers who simply trust in God, while trying to walk with integrity and truthfulness before God and do what is right, can depend upon God's care and protection to be over them.

Continuing, David declares ... "The Lord hath dealt bountifully with me."

How bountifully?  Well, for us today ... God gave us His Son.  And through Jesus, His Holy Spirit as a guide also.  And should I mention grace and mercy?  God has opened His fullness to us with all spiritual blessings.  And one I especially like ... my sin, not in part, but the whole of it ... shall not be remembered anymore.

David evidently also remembered that he had said ... "my cup runneth over" ... because in that same theme, he now says of this cup ... "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord."

The spiritual cup of salvation ... we can call upon the name of the Lord in times of stress and trouble as we lift it up and say ... "Lord help!"

It's a spiritual cup ... and the only way you can grasp it is by faith.  Take it in your hand, make it your own.  But just don't hold it ... drink of it, partake of all that is in it.  

As a child of God we have that right.  You don't need to show God your cup of salvation.  He gave it to you.  But sometimes ... we need to look at it for ourselves ... to see that it is real, and to remind ourselves that God loves us in spite of who we are.  Knowing every secret thing, every thought we think, and yes, even every temptation we desire to give in to, doesn't change His love for you.

You see ... God is totally committed to you, in spite of who you are.

Graham Cooke puts it this way ...

"You need to understand there is nothing you can do to make Him love you more.  There is also nothing you can do to make Him love you less.  He loves you because that is what He is like.  It is His nature to love.  His love is unchanging.  You will always be loved.

He won't love you any better when you become better.  And even if you have no plans to become better, He will still love you as you are.  Even if you don't change, He will still love you with His whole heart because that's His nature.  His love is unchanging.  He loves you right now, this very moment … as you are.  He can't help Himself, that's who He is … God is love."

David's problems and how he cried unto God were a little different than Paul's.  David knew and understood that God was his salvation.  But he looked to the future. 

Paul looked back on what Jesus had already done.  Jesus had overcome death, hell, and the grave.  He had risen.  Paul had a meeting with Jesus one day on the road to Damascus.  Paul knew whereof he spoke.  He had experienced Jesus one on one. 

So I say ... give me that same "spirit of faith" David and Paul had so I can say along with them ... "I believe, therefore I speak" ... according as it is written.