Taking Hold of God's Testimony

“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” (Ps. 119:111)

Think of it – David declared that he was taking as his inheritance – the testimonies of God. When I consider the idea of testimony, instantly the picture of a court scene comes to mind. Usually, testimony is given in a court of law by witnesses who personally observed, or heard specific situations or events occur. Their testimony is taken as verbal affirmation to substantiate and confirm the truth, or reality of a specific incident or event. 

Before giving their testimony each witness is required to place their hand on the holy Bible and they are asked “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” At this point the witness raises his right hand and says “I do.” Each witness testifying takes a sacred oath attesting to the fact that what he is going to share is the truth and nothing but the truth.

God’s ninth commandment says – “You shall not bear false witness” (Ex. 20:16). Revelation chapter twenty-two says “whoever loves and practices a lie” shall not enter into the New Jerusalem (Rev.22:15). God says of His arch enemy – Satan – “There is no truth in him…for he is a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44).

Obviously, God vehemently hates lying and despises the practice of bearing false witness. Unfortunately, there are some individuals whose testimonies are not worth the weight of the paper they’re written on. You can’t trust their testimony and have a hard time believing anything they say.

But, when God gives a testimony – you can bank on it. His testimonies are tried and true and they rest upon the very nature and integrity of His person. Moses declared He is a “God of truth” (Deut. 15:29) and the writer of Hebrews says “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). God’s testimonies proclaim His truth and are a revelation of His steadfast and unchanging character, His awesome and almighty power, His great love and mercy, and His unfailing faithfulness. 

God’s testimonies inundate us with resounding evidence of His sovereign and unrestricted ability to rule and reign over every aspect, element, and entity within His creation. They provide unquestionable proof of His overwhelming capability to create, protect, heal, deliver, restore, prosper, and transform. God’s testimonies furnish a foundation for the building up and nurturing of our faith. 

One of His testimonies tells of how He commanded the sun and the moon to suspend operations for twenty-four hours at the request of one of His leaders (Josh. 10:10-12). In one of the more famous of His testimonies He ordered the Red Sea to go back by using a strong east wind – and the waters were a wall to His people on the right hand and on their left (Ex. 14:13-30). Yeah, the Almighty Creator of the universe rules over the elements and all visible and invisible aspects of His creation. It’s legitimate evidence of His supreme jurisdiction over His created order and how that order instantly responds to the voice of its Master. 

In yet another one of His testimonies God’s Son was challenged with the nutritional needs of a hungry multitude of well over five thousand people. Out in the middle of the wilderness all His disciples could find were five barley loves and two small fish. They were at their wits end because their finite minds wrestled with how so little could ever feed so many. But then God’s Son stepped in and took what little they had – gave thanks to His Father – and had His disciples distribute the bread and fish. Amazingly, although over five thousand were fully fed His disciples gathered up twelve full baskets of leftovers (Jn. 6:1-13).

Now, that there is quite a testimony. It’s dramatic evidence of God’s ability to miraculously multiply what little we have in a time of great need. It speaks of His limitlessness power to creatively solve what would seem like an impossible problem. It testifies of God’s great goodness and love towards humanity – even in their fallen and destitute state.

Finally, there is the testimony of God’s power to defeat death. When Jesus finally arrived on the scene His good friend Lazarus had already been dead four days. In one version Lazarus’ sister Martha – in unbelief said – “by this time he stinketh” (Jn.11:39). The reality here – from the natural perspective is – this guy has been dead four days. Decay has set in and his body is beginning to rot. For all intents and purposes – it’s over – all hope for life is long gone – it’s done - finished. 

But, wait a minute – it’s not over till God says it’s over! When Jesus said – “Lazarus, come forth”(Jn.11:43) – all the decaying and decomposing cells and tissue instantly reversed their death march in obedience to the One who created them. Lazarus’ body jumped to attention at the command of the Author of life. God said – no death, you shall not have your way. I’m in charge here – and if I say life – then life it is!

    What a testimony of God’s almighty life-giving death-defeating power. A testimony full of uncontested evidence of God’s ability to utterly triumph over man’s most feared enemy, reverse the curse of death, supersede the laws activated by the fall, and effortlessly accomplish the impossible.

    Did you notice God’s testimonies are almost always associated with His ability to do the impossible? Jesus told Martha – “if you will believe you will see the glory of God” (Jn.11:40). God’s testimonies are revelations of His glory, documented for our benefit, that we too might expect, and witness, the impossible. Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes” (Mk. 9:23).

The testimonies of God were given to us so we will believe, and that our belief would not be hindered or limited by what others think is impossible. Jesus teaches us, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible” (Mk. 10:27).  

      So in the courts of heaven and before all the earth God is a witness whose testimony declares the truth and nothing but the truth. And God has given us His word which is filled with testimonies of His goodness, grace, and almighty power and ability, His ability to suspend time and the movement of His universe – to supersede laws that govern the natural – to multiply, rearrange, or overwhelm any aspect of His creation at will. What a mighty God we serve!

      So we must do as David did and take hold of God’s testimonies by filling our hearts with them – for NOW is the time to prepare ourselves to believe God for the impossible!