Testify

A witness tells what they have seen and heard. A good witness speaks from experience and knowledge. And a witness under oath gives testimony that is deemed worthy to be weighed in the balance of other evidence.

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He.” (Isaiah 43:10a NKJV)

This verse tells us that the people of God are called to be His witnesses in the earth. We are to witness His good work, His power displayed, and His love in action. And our testimony is of Him, not of ourselves.

So what are we witnessing in our daily lives? Who is present in all these circumstances? James 1:17 says that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (NKJV) And Galatians 5:22-23 says, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (NKJV)

In other words, every time I witness kindness or goodness, every time I see faithfulness or gentleness, God is at work, and I have the opportunity to give Him praise. When I experience peace and joy or see them in another, He is ruling from His throne, and His government is being upheld. Self-discipline is the evidence of His transforming power. Because I know Him, I recognize His ways, and because I believe Him, I acknowledge His sovereign rule.

Sometimes after a long and challenging day at work, it is tempting for me to focus on what I could have done differently, where I had poor judgment. In these moments I’m likely to fall prey to the accusation that I am inadequate. However, if I turn my eyes from me to Him, I must bear witness of His mercy and grace, His strength and provision, His wisdom and mission. It’s His purpose that outlines my path and undergirds my decisions. And because it is His purpose and call that I have answered, my response is one of gratitude, and devotion to Him drives my forward motion. His kind intention lifts my head, so that rather than looking at my feet in shame, I am looking into His glory and grace. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

God created me. He created you. We did not make ourselves, and we did not define our purpose. He did. When we tell our story, who is the central character?

Until next week, beloved, make every effort to testify to His mercy and love.