11/12/2020 -
Are we afraid to tell others what God has done for us? Do we fear that they might think we are singing our own praises because He has done so many wonderful and amazing things in our lives? Well we couldn’t be more wrong than to remain silent because the Lord deserves our open praise, and worship before all people, and nothing lifts Him higher than to speak of all He has done for us.
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.”
Psalm 66:16 ESV
There was a time when I sat silent in Sunday school class and Bible studies. I did this for a couple of reasons, the first was more prevalent when I was younger and stemmed from the fact that I felt I was less righteous than those who surrounded me. One weekend while camping the Lord saved me as I was drowning, and it was miraculous, but I said nothing to others for fear they might not believe me or ask me why... and I really didn’t know.
The second reason was because I thought those around me might think I was presenting myself to be more Holy than they were, and that they might alienate me, but this too was wrong; in fact, I was withholding the glory of God as He worked in my life from those who might be encouraged by it. You see, God is working in all of our lives, but we just need to know how to look for Him. The unbeliever needs to know what to listen for as God whispers for them to “Come”. The believer who is losing faith needs to be encouraged to look for God’s presence in new ways that might lift them up, and the Saints long to see Jesus face to face, and are looking for ways to join others in praise and worship.
“I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.”
Psalm 66:17 ESV
Have you ever gone through a time in your life when your prayers seemed to fall flat? You would pray, but your words felt like they were dribbling from your mouth, and God appeared to be so far away? Well, this is called a crisis of faith and even pastors, Saints, and great men and women of God, face them. These times of crisis generally stem from some form of sin in our lives that we haven’t confronted, confessed, and asked forgiveness for, and it is throwing a wet blanket over our prayers, or it could be our response to prayers that haven’t been answered yet that are causing us to doubt. By listening as someone testifies openly of a miracle, or God’s active presence in their lives we might receive just the ointment we have needed to free us from Satan’s clutches as we wrestle through our crisis of faith.
“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.”
Psalm 66:18-19 ESV
So, by testifying of God’s works and wonders in our lives we are encouraging others. Even when they don’t seem to acknowledge the benefit of our testimony they will carry it away with them, and we might never know about the personal conversation with Jesus that it sparked, and the strengthening of their faith that arose from it. These people might be praising God today; not because of what Jesus did in their life, but by your revelation of what He has done in yours. Many were brought to believe by the miracles that Jesus performed in the lives of others.
“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.”
John 2:23 ESV
Are you ready to share with others what God is doing in your life, or a miracle that Jesus performed for you? Please love your neighbors enough to testify.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all of the miracles, wonders, and quiet signs and conversations that I experience with you. Thank you for the testimonies of others that have touched me, and strengthened my faith, as I have witnessed them, or contemplated them after being told of your acts that have transpired in other lives. Give me the courage and the faith that I need to boldly speak to others of all you do for me each day. Jesus, loosen my lips to reveal how I have sinned, and how you came to me in mercy, grace, and through miracles, to redeem me. Let others understand that just as you move in the lives around them, you are moving in theirs. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who draws us to you by your quiet voice, and powerful acts of mercy. Praised be your name for moving in our lives, and the lives of others as you pluck us from the clutches of the dark one, and entrust us to Jesus... who will not lose us. Great are you Lord for there is no crisis in our lives that you can’t overcome it. Wonderful are you who is with us always and hold us close, even in those times when we can’t seem to feel you. Send us a messenger Father to speak of you, and the amazing things you do. Encourage us in the attention you provide us, and make our faith stronger than iron as we listen to the stories of faith told by others. Wash us clean by the greatest miracle of all Father... the blood of your Son Jesus, and lift us into your presence where you will see the face of Jesus Christ as you look at us, and seat us at your table forever.
“Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!”
Psalm 66:20 ESV
Rich Forbes